Whether or not Tobacco was a cornerstone anymore is irrelevant. Things change, and tradition get's naught but a minor thought, like a passing wisp of smoke from a Marlboro.
Sadly, the Old North State had a bunch of its internal economy wrapped up in the leaf, and then it started to get taxed to high heaven. Most farmers that had the where-with-all to get out of Tobacco farming, decided to grow grapes for wine, and now alcohol is getting it too. All in the name of universal health care for children. (can I get a little more heart strings pulled, please).
Tarriffs and quotas have made it near impossible for these same poor souls that used to grow tobacco, and now grow wine grapes, to actually make a living growing food.
Once again, the whims of some politicians Utopian view are laid upon the shoulders of some working stiff. Maybe if the tobacco farmers could consider themselves a "minority" they may get better treatment?
A couple of good points in this thread.
1) Grow your own. You may not smoke as much as you used to, but you may enjoy it a lot more.
2) quit paying taxes on it. By quitting, or #1 above. Then lets see where the revenue comes from. Maybe they will consider spicy mustard a sin, and tax it more.
I quit smoking entirely, because it was affecting my health, but let me be the first to say that I really enjoyed smoking.
I miss it.