At what point, and why, did snuff tobacco fall out of favor with European nobility?

Question

Tobacco snuff was in use by the European nobility from the 16th Century onwards, becoming both medicine and status symbol, even with the health hazards associated. At some point it fell out of favor, whether for smoking or something else, but was this just a fad that had seen it's time or was there something else associated with it's loss of status among the nobility? If there is a good source on this let me know, I'd be interested to read something substantive on the subject, or on the changing social customs.

Answer 1

It's a fascinating question why snuff, so entrenched as a habit and status symbol among European nobility, eventually fell out of favor. It wasn't a sudden event, but rather a gradual decline influenced by several interconnected factors, going beyond just a shift in "fads."

Here's a breakdown of the key reasons for snuff's decline in popularity among the European nobility:

1. The Rise of Cigarettes and Other Forms of Tobacco Consumption:

1. The 19th century saw the rise of industrialization and mass production, making cigarettes more affordable and accessible to a wider population. Cigarettes were also perceived as more convenient and less messy than snuff.
2. Cigars also gained popularity, particularly among the burgeoning middle classes, who then influenced aristocratic tastes.
3. These new methods of consumption offered a different social experience. Smoking could be done more casually in a wider range of settings, whereas snuff-taking was often associated with more formal rituals and accessories (snuffboxes).

2. Changing Social Customs and Perceptions of Elegance:

1. The elaborate rituals associated with snuff-taking, while initially a mark of refinement, may have started to seem old-fashioned or cumbersome in a rapidly changing world.
2. New ideals of masculinity and femininity emerged. The delicate dabbing of snuff might have been perceived as less robust than the image associated with smoking cigars or even cigarettes.
3. The rise of a more industrialized and arguably less formal society may have favored the quicker and less ornamented act of smoking.

3. Growing Awareness of Health Hazards (Though Initially Downplayed):

1. While snuff was initially sometimes considered medicinal, by the 19th century, concerns about its health effects began to surface more widely. Although the dangers of smoking were perhaps more immediately apparent (coughing, visible smoke), the link between snuff and issues like nasal problems, and eventually oral cancers, contributed to its decline.
2. The association of snuff with older generations might have also made it less appealing to younger nobles seeking to embrace new trends.

4. The French Revolution and Shifting Power Dynamics:

1. As noted in the search results, the French Revolution significantly impacted the aristocracy and their customs. The overt displays of wealth and privilege associated with elaborate snuffboxes might have become politically and socially risky in the aftermath.
2. The rise of the bourgeoisie and their adoption of different habits (like cigar smoking) further contributed to the decline of snuff as a defining aristocratic practice.

5. Practicality and Convenience:

1. Carrying and using snuff, along with the necessary accessories like snuffboxes and often handkerchiefs for the inevitable sneezing, was less practical than carrying a cigarette case or a cigar.

In essence, the decline of snuff among European nobility was a confluence of factors: the emergence of more convenient and socially adaptable forms of tobacco consumption, evolving social ideals of elegance and masculinity, a growing (though perhaps initially less emphasized) awareness of health concerns, and significant socio-political shifts that altered the cultural landscape. It wasn't simply a fad that ran its course, but a habit whose social and practical relevance diminished in the face of these changes.