Tupakka

Tupakka is the Finnish word for tobacco, the dried leaves of the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum and related species) used to make products for smoking, chewing, and snuff. Tobacco has a long global history and became widespread after European contact with the Americas. Modern tupakka products are produced by curing and processing tobacco leaves and come in many forms, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Some forms are combusted while others are used without combustion.

The manufacturing process typically includes harvesting, curing (air, flue, or sun), aging or fermenting, blending of leaf types, and addition of flavorings or other additives. The primary active chemical in tobacco is nicotine, an alkaloid that is highly addictive. Use of tupakka is a major preventable cause of cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other health problems. Smokers are exposed to risks through secondhand smoke, and smokeless forms carry specific risks such as oral diseases and nicotine dependence.

Regulation of tupakka products varies by jurisdiction but commonly includes taxation, age limits on sales, health warnings on packaging, advertising and sponsorship restrictions, and restrictions on smoking in public spaces. In Finland and across the European Union, tobacco control is guided by national laws and the EU Tobacco Products Directive, with ongoing public health efforts to reduce consumption.

Historically, tobacco was a significant commodity and cultural element in many societies. In Nordic countries, smoking rates rose in the 20th century and have since declined in many places due to policy measures and changing norms, though tupakka remains widely used worldwide.