The Economic Advantages and Disadvantage of Cultivating Tobacco

Megan McCoy

Summary of Presentation: In my presentation I will talk a little about the history of tobacco, mostly how it came to be introduced to the Europeans and became such a popular plant. I also want to discuss some of the economic benefits of tobacco cultivation such as jobs, etc. Then I will discuss the economic disadvantages of tobacco cultivation and the economic implications of stricter tobacco control.

I. A Brief History of Tobacco

http://www.tobacco.org/History/Tobacco_History.html

A. Use in the ancient world

B. Columbus and Tobacco

C. Introduction to Europe

D. Circling Back to the New World

E. Modern Popularity of Tobacco

http://www.howstuffworks.com/nicotine.htm

II. The Advantages of Cultivating Tobacco

F. Employment

G. Cultivates Revenue

II. The Disadvantages of Cultivating Tobacco

A. Expensive

B. Death and Illness

III. The Impact of Tobacco Control

http://www.worldbank.org/

A. Possible Interventions

1. Higher taxes

2. Bans/restrictions on smoking in public

3. Comprehensive bans on advertising and promotion

4. Better consumer information

5. Large, direct warning labels

6. Help for smokers who wish to quit

B. Economic Effects

1. Job loss offset creation of new jobs in other sectors

2. Those who decide to quit will save money

Resources for Further Research: