N.C. Tobacco Facts

Source from:  By The Associated Press April 27. 2007  04/29/2007

CAROLINA'S CROP: North Carolina produced 43.1 percent of the U.S. tobacco crop in 2005, more than any other state. Nearly 1,800 people worked in tobacco farming and more than 11,500 in tobacco manufacturing that year. DEADLY HABIT: An average of 11,900 deaths in North Carolina annually from 1997 to 2001 were related to smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking-related medical costs in the state average $2.26 billion per year, according to the CDC. CHANGING ATTITUDES: An Elon University poll released April 23 found that 62 percent of state residents favor banning smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants - findings similar to Elon polls in September and November. However, the new survey found that 64 percent of North Carolinians also believe business owners, rather than the government, should decide whether to ban smoking in their establishments. Enditem