Tobacco Maryland

Tobacco barn in rural Maryland

Maryland’s relationship with tobacco is a tale as old as the state itself. From the early colonial days when tobacco was a currency, to the present where it plays a significant role in the state’s agricultural sector, the story of tobacco in Maryland is a fascinating journey. This journey is not just about a plant or a product, but about the people, the places, and the events that have shaped Maryland’s history and identity. So, let’s embark on this journey together, exploring the past, understanding the present, and looking forward to the future of tobacco in Maryland.

Tobacco has played a significant role in the history and economy of Maryland. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of tobacco in Maryland, from its historical significance to modern regulations and economic implications.

The Historical Significance of Tobacco in Maryland

Tobacco has been a part of Maryland’s history since the 17th century, shaping its economy and society in profound ways.

The Establishment of Port Tobacco Village

Port Tobacco Village, established in 1727, became the second-largest river port in Maryland due to its thriving tobacco trade. The town grew as it became a major port for the tobacco trade, with exports transported by ocean-going sailing ships .

The Economic Impact of Tobacco in Colonial Maryland

During the colonial period, Maryland’s economy heavily relied on the tobacco crop. The colony averaged around 20 million pounds of tobacco per year in the 1740s, and by the 1760s, tobacco production continued to increase despite economic diversification .

Cultivation of Tobacco in Maryland

Maryland is known for its unique strains of tobacco, which have been cultivated for centuries.

The Maryland Strains

The Maryland strains of tobacco, used for the production of light air-cured tobaccos, are planted 81 to 91 cm apart or closer. These strains are known for their quality and are used in various tobacco products .

The Shift in Tobacco Economy

Despite the historical significance of tobacco, the economy surrounding it has seen significant changes. After World War II, the local price per pound tripled, and smoking skyrocketed. However, the 1980s saw the beginning of the end for tobacco farming in Maryland due to health warnings .

The Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747

In 1747, Maryland enacted a law to improve the general quality of tobacco exports. This law significantly increased tobacco prices, reflecting the importance of maintaining high-quality tobacco production .

Modern Regulations on Tobacco in Maryland

Today, Maryland has strict regulations on tobacco sales and use to protect public health.

Age Restrictions on Tobacco Sales

The minimum age to purchase tobacco products and paraphernalia in Maryland is 21, with an exception for active-duty military members who can purchase at 18 years old .

Restrictions on Tobacco Products and Paraphernalia

All tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices, may only be sold to individuals age 21 or older. The state also prohibits the sale of flavored cigarettes, excluding menthol .

The Economic Impact of Tobacco in Modern Maryland

Despite the decline in tobacco farming, tobacco still has a significant economic impact in Maryland.

Revenue from Tobacco Settlement Payments and Taxes

In 2021, Maryland received an estimated $501.0 million in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes. However, only a small portion of this revenue was allocated to tobacco prevention .

Smoking-Related Health Care Costs and Losses in Productivity

The economic impact of tobacco use in Maryland extends beyond revenue. Smoking-related health care costs amount to $2.71 billion per year, and losses in productivity reach $2.22 billion per year .

The Decline of Tobacco Cultivation in Maryland

The cultivation of tobacco in Maryland has seen a significant decline in recent years.

The Transition from Tobacco to Other Crops

The shift from tobacco to other crops was largely due to health warnings and the changing economic landscape. Many farmers transitioned from tobacco to other crops, leading to a decrease in tobacco cultivation .

The Impact of Health Warnings on Tobacco Farming

Health warnings about the dangers of smoking have played a significant role in the decline of tobacco farming. As awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use increased, the demand for tobacco decreased .

what is the history of tobacco in maryland

The history of tobacco in Maryland dates back to the establishment of the English colony in 1634, shortly after which tobacco became the principal and characteristic crop of the Chesapeake region . The tobacco industry defined the agriculture and cultural landscape of Southern Maryland for centuries .

In 1747, the Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act was enacted to improve the general quality of tobacco exports, which led to a significant rise in tobacco prices . The abundance of tobacco plantations in Maryland resulted in a lack of towns, as the geography of the Chesapeake Bay allowed for ships to come directly to plantation wharves to trade English goods for tobacco .

The tobacco economy in Maryland faced hard times after the Civil War, with the abolition of slavery leading to a crash in the tobacco economy . However, the industry saw a resurgence in the 20th century, particularly during and after World War II, when the local price per pound of tobacco tripled between 1938 and 1945 .

In 2000, Maryland legislators instituted an innovative program known as the Tobacco Buyout to support tobacco growers who chose to transition to other crops and to restrict the land from tobacco production for ten years should the land transfer into new ownership . This program resulted in 86% of the 1998 eligible tobacco being taken out of production forever for human consumption .

how has the tobacco industry in maryland changed over time

The tobacco industry in Maryland has undergone significant changes over time, reflecting shifts in societal attitudes, regulations, and market preferences.

In the early days, tobacco was the principal crop of the Chesapeake region, defining the agriculture and cultural landscape of Southern Maryland for centuries . The Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747 was enacted to improve the general quality of tobacco exports, leading to a significant rise in tobacco prices .

However, the industry faced challenges after the Civil War, with the abolition of slavery leading to a crash in the tobacco economy . Despite these challenges, the industry saw a resurgence in the 20th century, particularly during and after World War II, when the local price per pound of tobacco tripled between 1938 and 1945 .

In recent years, the industry has been shaped by changing consumer preferences and regulatory measures. For instance, there has been a shift from cigarettes to cigars and cigarillos, and more recently, to electronic smoking devices . In 2020, 10.9% of adults in Maryland smoked, and 5.0% of high school students in Maryland smoked cigarettes at least once in the past 30 days .

Regulatory changes have also impacted the industry. In 2000, Maryland legislators instituted the Tobacco Buyout program to support tobacco growers who chose to transition to other crops and to restrict the land from tobacco production for ten years should the land transfer into new ownership . More recently, in 2021, the regulation of alcohol and tobacco in the state of Maryland officially changed hands, with the creation of the Maryland Alcohol and Tobacco Commission .

Conclusion: The Legacy of Tobacco in Maryland

Tobacco has left an indelible mark on the history, economy, and society of Maryland. Despite the decline in cultivation and the strict regulations in place, the legacy of tobacco in Maryland continues to be felt today.

Statistics:

In the colonial era, Maryland’s economy heavily relied on the tobacco crop . In 2021, Maryland received an estimated $501.0 million in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes . In 2020, 10.9% of adults in Maryland smoked, and in 2019, 5.0% of high school students in Maryland smoked cigarettes at least once in the past 30 days .

FAQs:

What is the history of tobacco in Maryland?
Maryland has a long history of tobacco cultivation, dating back to the colonial era when the economy heavily relied on the tobacco crop .
What was the Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747?
The Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747 was a law enacted to improve the general quality of tobacco exports .
What is the significance of Port Tobacco in Maryland’s tobacco history?
Established in 1727, Port Tobacco became the second largest town in Maryland and a major port for the tobacco trade .
What types of tobacco are grown in Maryland?
Maryland strains of tobacco, used for the production of light air-cured tobaccos, are grown in the state .
What are the regulations for tobacco sales in Maryland?
In Maryland, tobacco products can only be sold to individuals aged 21 or older .
What is the economic impact of tobacco in Maryland?
In 2021, Maryland received an estimated $501.0 million in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes .
What is the smoking rate in Maryland?
In 2020, 10.9% of adults in Maryland smoked .
What is the rate of high school students smoking in Maryland?
In 2019, 5.0% of high school students in Maryland smoked cigarettes at least once in the past 30 days .
How has the tobacco industry in Maryland changed over time?
From the colonial era’s heavy reliance on the tobacco crop, Maryland’s tobacco industry has evolved with changing regulations and societal attitudes towards smoking .
What was the impact of the Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747 on tobacco prices?
The enactment of the Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747 led to a significant rise in tobacco prices .
How did the town of Port Tobacco contribute to the tobacco trade?
Port Tobacco, established in 1727, became a major port for the tobacco trade, contributing to its growth as the second largest town in Maryland .
What are the penalties for selling tobacco to minors in Maryland?
Selling tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21 is prohibited in Maryland, with penalties for violations .
What is the revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes in Maryland?
In 2021, Maryland received an estimated $501.0 million in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes .
What is the prevalence of tobacco use among adults in Maryland?
In 2020, 10.9% of adults in Maryland smoked .
What is the prevalence of tobacco use among high school students in Maryland?
In 2019, 5.0% of high school students in Maryland smoked cigarettes at least once in the past 30 days .

Books:

“The Secret War for the Union: The Untold Story of Military Intelligence in the Civil War” by Edwin C. Fishel .
“Maryland: A New Guide to the Old Line State” by Earl Arnett, Robert J. Brugger, and Edward C. Papenfuse.
“Tobacco Culture: The Mentality of the Great Tidewater Planters on the Eve of Revolution” by T.H. Breen.

Sources of information:

JSTOR: The Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747 https://www.jstor.org/stable/2120753.
Wikipedia: Port Tobacco Village, Maryland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Tobacco_Village,_Maryland.
Britannica: Maryland | tobacco https://www.britannica.com/plant/Maryland-tobacco.
Maryland Department of Health: No Tobacco Sales to Minors https://health.maryland.gov/notobaccosalestominors/Pages/Tobacco%2021%20FAQ.aspx.
Wikipedia: Economic history of Colonial Maryland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_Colonial_Maryland.
Charles County Tourism: Historic Port Tobacco Village https://www.explorecharlescounty.com/see-do/history-and-heritage/historic-port-tobacco-village.
University of Maryland Extension: The Culture of MD Tobacco https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2021-03/TheCultureofMDTobacco.pdf.
People’s Law: Tobacco Minimum Age https://www.peoples-law.org/tobacco-vaping-e-cigarettes-minimum-age.
Truth Initiative: Tobacco use in Maryland 2021 https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/smoking-region/tobacco-use-maryland-2021.
National Park Service: Southern Maryland and Tobacco https://www.nps.gov/crps/commonground/Spring2011/fea1.pdf.
YouTube: Why Maryland Farms Stopped Growing Tobacco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiR83hOdSOo.
Maryland Department of Health: Maryland and Federal Tobacco Sales Laws https://health.maryland.gov/notobaccosalestominors/Documents/T22%20Materials/MDH_fed_sales_laws_2022.pdf.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County: History Labs https://www2.umbc.edu/che/historylabs/lessondisplay.php?lesson=99.
Forgotten Books: Maryland and Tobacco https://forgottenbooks.com/it/download/MarylandandTobacco_10947276.pdf.
Connecticut General Assembly: Maryland’s Tobacco Buyout Program https://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/olrdata/env/rpt/2002-R-0272.htm.
Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy: Local Tobacco Laws https://mdtobaccolaws.org/local-tobacco-laws/.

Citations:

JSTOR: The Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747 https://www.jstor.org/stable/2120753.
Wikipedia: Port Tobacco Village, Maryland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Tobacco_Village,_Maryland.
Britannica: Maryland | tobacco https://www.britannica.com/plant/Maryland-tobacco.
Maryland Department of Health: No Tobacco Sales to Minors https://health.maryland.gov/notobaccosalestominors/Pages/Tobacco%2021%20FAQ.aspx.
Wikipedia: Economic history of Colonial Maryland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_Colonial_Maryland.
Charles County Tourism: Historic Port Tobacco Village https://www.explorecharlescounty.com/see-do/history-and-heritage/historic-port-tobacco-village.
University of Maryland Extension: The Culture of MD Tobacco https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2021-03/TheCultureofMDTobacco.pdf.
People’s Law: Tobacco Minimum Age https://www.peoples-law.org/tobacco-vaping-e-cigarettes-minimum-age.
Truth Initiative: Tobacco use in Maryland 2021 https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/smoking-region/tobacco-use-maryland-2021.
National Park Service: Southern Maryland and Tobacco https://www.nps.gov/crps/commonground/Spring2011/fea1.pdf.
YouTube: Why Maryland Farms Stopped Growing Tobacco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiR83hOdSOo.
Maryland Department of Health: Maryland and Federal Tobacco Sales Laws https://health.maryland.gov/notobaccosalestominors/Documents/T22%20Materials/MDH_fed_sales_laws_2022.pdf.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County: History Labs https://www2.umbc.edu/che/historylabs/lessondisplay.php?lesson=99.
Forgotten Books: Maryland and Tobacco https://forgottenbooks.com/it/download/MarylandandTobacco_10947276.pdf.
Connecticut General Assembly: Maryland’s Tobacco Buyout Program https://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/olrdata/env/rpt/2002-R-0272.htm.
Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy: Local Tobacco Laws https://mdtobaccolaws.org/local-tobacco-laws/.