Respuesta :
Answer:
The ban on tobacco. The Emperor of China's introduction to smoking in 1644: this pivotal event, rather than being a mere historical footnote – indeed, significantly amplified the prevalence of opium addiction.
Explanation:
In 1644, the Chinese Emperor instated a law actively prohibiting tobacco smoking: this illustrates an early instance of governmental intervention to deter tobacco consumption.
With the prohibition on tobacco smoking, individuals initiated a quest for alternatives; consequently, they found opium--a derivative of the opium poppy--to be an increasingly favored replacement: this marks our departure from passive voice and introduction to active construction.
People started smoking opium as a replacement for their tobacco addiction. Opium smoking: an attractive substitute to tobacco due to its addictive properties, notably increased in prevalence among the Chinese population as they sought out new habits. Opium's surging popularity birthed opium dens: establishments where people could congregate and partake in social opium smoking. Opium dens became popular meeting places for addicts, facilitating the spread of opium addiction.
The prohibition of tobacco smoking indirectly contributed to the rampant opium addiction in China; indeed, it was an inadvertent consequence: by enforcing this ban--a measure intended for public health improvement--the government unintentionally facilitated a surge in substitutive use of opium. Opium's increased availability and usage, coupled with the conducive social environment that opium dens provided; these factors powerfully exacerbated the addiction problem.
The tobacco smoking ban, based on historical evidence and the cultural context of China at that time, would most likely result in opium addiction; however, an increase in consumption of other substances such as tea, gambling or alcohol could also be anticipated. Opium addiction had a more significant impact during that period.
Final answer:
Following China's tobacco smoking ban in 1644, there was an increase in opium addiction, which was then exacerbated by British imports and led to the First Opium War.
Explanation:
In 1644, after the emperor of China banned tobacco smoking, the law inadvertently contributed to an increase in opium addiction. The absence of tobacco led people to seek other substances, and the recreational use of opium, which was previously consumed in China as a medicine and milder recreational drug, became more prevalent. The British exploited this by importing opium from their territories in India, leading to a significant addiction problem in China. Many Chinese officials turned a blind eye to the trade, and despite the government's efforts to curb the practice by banning recreational opium in 1729, the problem escalated. This later precipitated the First Opium War, showcasing the severity of the addiction issues and the international conflicts that arose from the trade of this controversial substance.
