<P> Early 17th century descriptive notices of various characteristic types and fashions of men portray tobacconists and smokers as individuals who suffer from false self - images and mistaken illusions about the properties of tobacco taking . Though physicians such as Benjamin Rush claimed tobacco use ( including smoking ) negatively impacted health as far back as 1798 , not until the early 20th century did researchers begin to conduct serious medical studies . </P>
<P> Early 17th century descriptive notices of various characteristic types and fashions of men portray tobacconists and smokers as individuals who suffer from false self - images and mistaken illusions about the properties of tobacco taking . Though physicians such as Benjamin Rush claimed tobacco use ( including smoking ) negatively impacted health as far back as 1798 , not until the early 20th century did researchers begin to conduct serious medical studies . </P>
when was smoking first known to be harmful
when was smoking first known to be harmful
Early 17th century
Early 17th century