Role of Tobacco in Kentucky's Economy Continues to Decline

Mar 2nd, 2009

Tobacco's Shrinking Role in Kentucky's Economy

The role of tobacco farming and tobacco product manufacturing in Kentucky’s economy continues to shrink, according to new statistics released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free kids. From 1992 to 2007, the number of all tobacco farms in Kentucky shrank by over 82%, and tobacco farms represent less than ten percent of all farms in the Commonwealth. Similarly, the number of jobs in tobacco product manufacturing declined from 3,185 in 1997 to 1,102 in 2003, accounting for less than two percent of all manufacturing jobs in Kentucky. Meanwhile, the toll of smoking in Kentucky remains high, causing an estimated 7,800 deaths per year and costing $1.5 billion in annual smoking-related health costs. Click here for details.

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