Final answer:
The tobacco plant is indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. It was introduced to Europe in the 16th century and gained popularity, later becoming a global commodity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tobacco plant is indigenous to the Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas. This information not only places tobacco as a native crop of the New World but also helps understand its role in history. After the Columbian Exchange, during which various species were transferred between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, tobacco found its way to Europe and other parts of the world. By 1565, tobacco had spread throughout Europe and became significantly popular after being introduced by Sir Walter Raleigh. Despite its initial negative perception, it was ascribed medicinal properties and became a global commodity in the 1590s, leading to the establishment of a royal monopoly on its imports by King James I of England.=