 By the mid-17th century most major civilizations had been introduced to tobacco smoking and in many cases had already assimilated it into the native culture, despite some continued attempts upon the parts of rulers to eliminate the practice with penalties or fines.Tobacco, both product and plant, followed the major trade routes to major ports and markets, and then on into the hinterlands.The English language term "smoking" appears to have entered currency in the late 18th century, before which less abbreviated descriptions of the practice such as "drinking smoke" were also in use.