Tobacco gradually losing its political sway

Publication Date: 2009-02-02

• Author:James Romoser
• Publication:Winston-Salem (NC) Journal

As health concerns cause public opinion to change, even tobacco states such as N.C. take harder stance

"Our consumers certainly face an increasingly finite number of situations, whether they be social situations or work situations, where they feel comfortable smoking," said Maura Payne, a spokeswoman for Reynolds American Inc.

Changing social views of smoking are accompanied by dwindling political support for tobacco companies. For years, Reynolds and the other major tobacco players enjoyed a sort of home-field advantage in North Carolina politics. But 2009 is shaping up to be a tough year for tobacco in the nation's largest tobacco-producing state...

North Carolina's policymakers are increasingly arguing that the health hazards of smoking outweigh the state's important tobacco heritage.

"I know that this state has a rich history of growing tobacco, and we love our farmers and we respect them," said state Rep. Jennifer Weiss, D-Wake. But, she added, "this is about the health and safety of workers in our state."

Weiss was referring to the proposed smoking ban in indoor workplaces. The bill's chief author is Rep. Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson, a survivor of lung cancer.