How did snuff become popular in France?

Snuff became popular in France during the 16th century after the French diplomat Jean Nicot introduced the tobacco plant to the French court.12

While serving as the ambassador to Portugal, Nicot learned of the plant's purported medicinal properties and subsequently sent tobacco seeds and leaves to Catherine de Médicis, the queen of France. Nicot instructed the queen on how to prepare a medicinal powder by crushing the leaves, which could then be inhaled through the nose as a remedy for conditions such as headaches.12

This practice of inhaling the powder as a preventative measure gained favor among members of the French court, who associated it with the pleasures of nobility. As the habit spread, it became a significant cultural trend, eventually leading to the widespread use of snuff throughout Europe and the development of elaborate snuffboxes to store the preparation.123