The discovery of tobacco is attributed to the indigenous people of the Americas, specifically the Native Americans. The use of tobacco dates back thousands of years, long before European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Native American tribes such as the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas cultivated and consumed tobacco in various forms.

While it is challenging to pinpoint an exact individual who first discovered tobacco, archaeological evidence suggests that tobacco has been used for ceremonial and medicinal purposes by Native Americans for centuries. The plant was considered sacred and was used in religious rituals and healing practices.

The tobacco plant, scientifically known as Nicotiana tabacum, is native to the Americas. It was primarily smoked or chewed by indigenous people, and they believed it had spiritual and medicinal properties. The smoking of tobacco was often performed during religious ceremonies or as a means of communication with the spiritual world.

When European explorers, such as Christopher Columbus, arrived in the Americas in the late 15th century, they encountered tobacco and its use by the indigenous people. The explorers introduced tobacco to Europe, where its popularity quickly spread. The smoking of tobacco became widespread in Europe by the 16th century and eventually spread to other parts of the world.

In conclusion, while the exact individual who first discovered tobacco remains unknown, it was the Native American tribes of the Americas who cultivated and used tobacco for thousands of years before its introduction to the rest of the world.