Tennessee will probably become the first major tobacco-growing state to pass a comprehensive smoke-free-workplace law. Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, proposed the ban in February. He also wants to triple taxes on cigarette sales and to use some of the money for smoking prevention.
Not everyone, however, is thrilled. Paul McKinney, who grows only a small amount of tobacco on his farm, compared the proposal to forbidding alcohol and unhealthy foods. "I can see raising the tax and getting more money," Mr. McKinney said, "but if you're planning on just banning tobacco altogether, you’re killing the goose that's laying the golden egg."
Tennessee's dependence on tobacco has made the state one of the most hostile in the nation to tobacco regulation. As antismoking laws spread, Tennessee has given free rein to smokers. The only restriction aside from a few local regulations is a year-old ban on smoking in state buildings.
Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and 22 states have passed bans on smoking in bars, restaurants, or all workplaces. The top tobacco growing states — North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina — have not passed such legislation.
Tobacco's falling fortunes can be seen in Tennessee's annual crop statistics. The state's peak tobacco year was 1982. After a 2005 federal tobacco buyout compensated growers who backed out of the industry, farmers last year harvested 49 million pounds, worth $93 million, the statistics show. The profitability is gone.
Not everyone, however, is thrilled. Paul McKinney, who grows only a small amount of tobacco on his farm, compared the proposal to forbidding alcohol and unhealthy foods. "I can see raising the tax and getting more money," Mr. McKinney said, "but if you're planning on just banning tobacco altogether, you’re killing the goose that's laying the golden egg."
Tennessee's dependence on tobacco has made the state one of the most hostile in the nation to tobacco regulation. As antismoking laws spread, Tennessee has given free rein to smokers. The only restriction aside from a few local regulations is a year-old ban on smoking in state buildings.
Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and 22 states have passed bans on smoking in bars, restaurants, or all workplaces. The top tobacco growing states — North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina — have not passed such legislation.
Tobacco's falling fortunes can be seen in Tennessee's annual crop statistics. The state's peak tobacco year was 1982. After a 2005 federal tobacco buyout compensated growers who backed out of the industry, farmers last year harvested 49 million pounds, worth $93 million, the statistics show. The profitability is gone.
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