An interesting little
known fact is that there were over fifty Greeks in the tobacco
business from the turn of the century. One of the major
players that provided the Oriental leaf is the Athens Tobacco
Co. The company was founded by the Athans family in Greece
in l9l4. One son, Nicholas, came to New York in l937 to
establish his own firm. He represented his family business
interests. This company became one of the most successful
companies that brought Greek tobacco to the states. American
firms like Ligett and Myers and the American Tobacco Co.
purchased the "oriental" leaf, considered being
lower in nicotine than others from the Athens Tobacco Company.
The company became a major importer of oriental tobacco.
