My understanding is that opium became a problem once tobacco, and its method of consumption (i.e. smoking), became a global commodity in the 16th century. Opium

My understanding is that opium became a problem once tobacco, and its method of consumption (i.e. smoking), became a global commodity in the 16th century. Opium was previously orally ingested, but when smoking it became the norm, the near-instant gratification caused an epidemic (mostly in China; see the Opium Wars/ British East India Company).