Nicotine-Free Cigarettes Go On Sale
Genetically Modified Tobacco Grown In Susquehanna Valley
POSTED: 6:51 pm EST January 30,
2003
UPDATED: 7:12 pm EST January 30,
2003
NEW HOLLAND, Pa. -- There's a new option on store shelves for smokers, a nicotine-free cigarette named Quest, and most of the tobacco for the new product is grown in the Susquehanna Valley.Workers at the Tri-Leaf Tobacco Co. in New Holland, Lancaster County, are busy bailing their product.It's no ordinary tobacco. It's genetically modified to be nicotine-free.
"We think it's really gonna go. It's great for the farmers in Lancaster County and the state of Pennsylvania," said Jerry Winsteab, owner of Tri-Leaf Tobacco.The special tobacco is also grown in parts of Dauphin and York counties.The key for farmers is that they get a $1.50 a pound for nicotine-free tobacco. That's two to three times what they were paid for other types of tobacco."It's been a lifesaver for farmers," Winsteab said.Quest comesin three varieties: low nicotine, extra-low nicotine, and nicotine-free.This does not necessarily make the cigarettes healthy. They still carry the surgeon general's warning.
"If a guy's going to smoke, to me it's safer, and I'm not saying it's a safe cigarette, but it's just the way I think it's going to go," Winsteab said.Some retailers selling the Quest cigarettes said they're having trouble keeping them in stock. At one convenience store News 8 visited, they sold 36 cartons in a single day. While sales have been slower at other retailers, local farmers are hoping for the best.In fact, the maker of Quest cigarettes, Vector Tobacco, doesn't know if nicotine-free tobacco will be grown around here this summer."It's too early to tell yet. I think we have to use up some of the inventory. This is the second year we've grown the tobacco here," said Ralph Lowery, of Vector Tobacco Co.Everyone from farmers to cigarette executives are waiting to see if a nicotine-free cigarette will be a hit with smokers.Right now, Quest cigarettes are only sold in seven states, but Vector hopes they'll soon be sold nationwide.Local farmers will find out if they'll be growing nicotine-free tobacco some time in April.
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"If a guy's going to smoke, to me it's safer, and I'm not saying it's a safe cigarette, but it's just the way I think it's going to go," Winsteab said.Some retailers selling the Quest cigarettes said they're having trouble keeping them in stock. At one convenience store News 8 visited, they sold 36 cartons in a single day. While sales have been slower at other retailers, local farmers are hoping for the best.In fact, the maker of Quest cigarettes, Vector Tobacco, doesn't know if nicotine-free tobacco will be grown around here this summer."It's too early to tell yet. I think we have to use up some of the inventory. This is the second year we've grown the tobacco here," said Ralph Lowery, of Vector Tobacco Co.Everyone from farmers to cigarette executives are waiting to see if a nicotine-free cigarette will be a hit with smokers.Right now, Quest cigarettes are only sold in seven states, but Vector hopes they'll soon be sold nationwide.Local farmers will find out if they'll be growing nicotine-free tobacco some time in April.Copyright 2007 by WGAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
