History of tobacco brought to Spain for its flowers, but "Now we use it to a greater extent for the sake of its virtues than for its beauty". John Hawkins was the first to bring tobacco seeds to England. William Harrison's "English Chronology" mentions tobacco smoking in the country as of 1573, before Sir Walter Raleigh brought the first "Virginia" tobacco to Europe from the Roanoke Colony, referring to it as "tobah" as early as 1578. In 1595 Anthony Chute published "Tabaco", which repeated earlier arguments about the benefits of the plant and emphasised the health-giving properties of pipe-smoking. The importation of tobacco
Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders Briar Pipe and Tobacco Trades, and in 1960 became a Livery Company once more. In common with many of the other Livery Companies, the Company is no longer a trade association and is primarily concerned with raising funds for distribution to various charities through its benevolent fund,as well as supporting educational institutions and providing support for members of the tobacco trade and their families. The Company supports a wide range of charitable activities. The Master of the Company for 2015-16 is Christopher Allen. Sandra Stocker is the Clerk. The Company's history which provides the references for the information on this