Up in smoke: Tobacco’s decline

the Robesonian ^ | April 14 '18 | Brandon Tester

[ABN 505]

I grew up in the Heart of Tobacco country in Connecticut, I worked on Tobacco farms when I was 15, good money for a teen. I think at that time there was 20,000 Acres of Shade and Broad leaf tobacco grown in the Valley [1960’s]. Now in the year 2018 I don't think there is even 2,000 acres planted. I miss that pungent sweet odor in the summertime when the plants are ready for harvest.Those days are gone forever all the rich farmland has been sold and all there is now is Buildings and parking lots, Sad to see it go. All the white Tobacco tents and Gigantic drying barns gone, gone. Funny thing is I have never smoked a cigarette in my life even when I was in the service.

[Pirate Ragnar]

“The 1st smartest thing I ever did as a young man was vowing to never again kiss a gal who smokes. Did that once and it was like licking an ashtray, yuck. (Came after the 2nd thing which was to quit smoking, myself.)”

An older version of a snowflake.

[Pirate Ragnar]

” grew up in a household where both my parents smoked like chimneys.They both died horrible deaths thanks to Winston”

My Mother smoked and died at 92; My uncle at 85 and my father at 89. Some people who never smoked get lung cancer. I’m not saying smoking is healthy, but for every horror story there is one that is not. The no smoking bandwagon for health is a red herring; the real reasons are controlling other people and deciding what the should do. Either we are for individual rights and responsibilities or not.

[Pirate Ragnar]

“It’s a nasty habit.”

It is primarily a difficult addiction. The habits come from that.

[Gay State Conservative]

See Post #39

[Pirate Ragnar]

“Of course you don’t, and I’ve never met a Marxist who denied being a savior of mankind even if it means a total disregard of our constitutional rights to freedom of choice.”

clap clap clap cheers for the truth!

[nevergore]

Still one of the old holdovers from the FR Smoking Room.....

I love a fine cigar.....

Never smoked cigs...

Plus I only smoke natural non-GMO, gluten free, fat free, free range cigars.....

I’m 60 this year on no meds, 112/65 BP with a resting 67 heart rate (last check).....

Cigs will kill you if smoked in high enough quanity......

Cigars maintain the quality of life....

[Gay State Conservative]

I grew up in the Heart of Tobacco country in Connecticut...

My sister lives in Western Massachusetts and I drive through Connecticut often.When in those areas I often wonder if I'm driving in an area that was once tobacco country.Same thing on the several occasions when I've driven through Virginia and North Carolina.

[Pirate Ragnar]

“See Post #39”

Now do you wish to discuss drunk driving?

[glenduh]

“Now do you wish to discuss drunk driving?”

Yeah! Let’s ban all alcohol!

[Pirate Ragnar]

“Cigars can cause cancer too...a dirty habit indeed. Quality of life is in good living, not smoking for heaven sakes.”

Of course you never touch alcohol, salt, sugar, bacon, donuts and have never had a traffic ticket. Good for you.

[Bonemaker]

5

[dfwgator]

Hitler - Didn’t smoke, didn’t drink, didn’t eat meat.

Just sayin’

[nevergore]

Give it rest smoking nazi.....I suppose you don’t like the adult beverage as well....smoking fine cigars is NOT a dirty habit....It is the enjoyment of fine products...

What are your dietary habits.....a few pounds overweight?

How’s your cholesterol?

Fat kills more than cigars ever will....

You just hate to see anyone enjoy themselves.....

Go choke on your socialist pablum....

[glenduh]

“Of course you never touch alcohol, salt, sugar, bacon, donuts...”

I believe if you drink diet soda with all that... You’re good.

[Bonemaker]

Aren't you special!

[SoCal Pubbie]

I for one never smoked, and always thought it was a stupid and nasty addiction. That being said, I have never supported the smoking Nazis in the government. I felt that bar and restaurant owners should have been allowed to decide how to handle the issue in their establishments. The dangers of smoking has been known for decades, and people should have been allowed to light up and decrease the excess population if they so chose to do so.

[ABN 505]

You are right, Western Mass was also a huge Tobacco growing area. I grew up on the Windsor Bloomfield Line just a few miles from the border with Southwick Mass. another Tobacco growing town. There are still alot of Barns in Souhwick but not much Tobacco grown although I noticed several brand new Barns were built in recent years and that has to be a good sign as they must cost a fortune to build [they are immense]. If you get a Chance there is a Museum in Ct. devoted to all things Tobacco, it's worth going to.https://www.tobaccohistsoc.org/about_us

[Bonemaker]

"Well the smoking wars are over."

The hell you say!