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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Evelina Weidman Sterling, MPH, CHES, Michael Eriksen, ScD, and Valerie Hepburn, MPA. Institute of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302-3995, 404-651-4135, meriksen@gsu.edu

Although there have been efforts to combat the challenging economic, political, social, and legal issues experienced by tobacco farmers, little research is available regarding the impact of such policies on the tobacco farmers themselves. To assess the characteristics and growing intentions of Georgia tobacco growers in response to the recent tobacco quota buyout legislation, we used a structured telephone survey to interview active tobacco growers in 40 Georgia counties (N=201) between January and April 2005. Almost half of those surveyed planned to stop growing tobacco. On the other hand, 51.5% intended to grow tobacco immediately after the passing of the quota buyout legislation. These farmers were more likely to be younger, have higher total family incomes, farm more acres of tobacco, receive more income from non-tobacco crops (such as peanuts, cotton, soybeans, and corn), and receive less off-farm income. Moreover, those continuing to grow tobacco expressed more optimistic views about the tobacco industry in general as well as the future of tobacco farming compared to those farmers who planned to stop growing tobacco. Overall, decisions to continue growing tobacco were largely mediated by a strong commitment to farming in general regardless of economic factors. Still, more than half of these continuing tobacco growers remained unsure about their intentions beyond 2005, and only 46% expected their heirs to continue growing tobacco. Due to the uncertainty expressed by farmers about future intentions, opportunities exist for public health policies to influence the future of tobacco growing in the United States.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the learner will be able to

• Describe major differences between Georgia tobacco growers who plan to continue growing tobacco and Georgia farmers who plan to stop growing tobacco after the tobacco quota buyout legislation in terms of demographics, farming behaviors, and attitudes toward tobacco farming.
• Identify important factors which might contribute to a farmer’s decision whether or not to continue growing tobacco.
• Recognize opportunities for public health policy makers to influence the future of tobacco growing in the United States.

Keywords: Special Populations, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation