Unfortunately we do not know when tobacco started being grown. The oldest picture showing a man smoking a cigar originates from a Mayan temple, built in 640, in Palenque in the state of Chiapas, south-east Mexico. Until these days some Indian tribes smoke self-made cigars after dusk because they believe it frightens away evil powers.
The today’s term “cigar” probably comes from a Mayan language, from the word "sik’ar", exactly meaning tobacco smoking. The original form of the cigar was a long, thick bundle, consisting of tobacco leaves, rolled up in dried palm or corn big leaves.