Editorial: Tobacco growers' folly

Source from:  940 News 01/21/2005

Many of Ontario's remaining tobacco farmers apparently could not see the writing on the wall that was clear to everyone else. Society is taking strong measures to stamp out smoking. There is little future in continuing to grow a deadly and addictive product. But tobacco farmers complain they are being driven out of business by the province's tough anti-smoking measures and are demanding the government bail them out. Some vow to resort to civil disobedience, including joining a protest tomorrow by cattle farmers to tie up traffic on Highway 401 to protest the farm crisis and what they say is the failure by Queen's Park to move fast enough on promised aid. It is no surprise the Ontario government wants to reduce smoking. It plans to ban smoking in all public places and this week it hiked cigarette taxes for the third time since the fall of 2003. Fred Neukamm, chair of the Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board, called the tax increase "a slap in the face" and said it was fair to compare the collapse of the Newfoundland cod fishery to what is happening to his industry. Now that tobacco use is dropping, farmers argue the public somehow owes them. We are not convinced. For the record, tobacco farmers have not been left high and dry. Ottawa has promised them roughly $60 million, and Queen's Park $50 million, to help exit the industry. With only 770 tobacco farmers left — others took advantage of earlier buyouts — that is quite generous. But Neukamm and others complain help has been too slow to reach them. Tobacco farmers, though, have known for 40 years that their produce poses a serious health risk. That is plenty of time to switch to another crop. They don't need any more help than is now being offered.940 News