The Development And Evolution Of United States Tobacco Planting Policy (1933-2004)

Tobacco planting in America has been developing in a galloping speed since the 20 th century. Before the 30 s, tobacco planting was in the free period, however, it was the First World War that has rendered great opportunity for the development of tobacco planting. After the First World War, the demand for tobacco was on a decrease, thus leading to the surplus of tobacco. Moreover, the great depression had further contributed to the deterioration of this trend, thus incurring the plight of tobacco planting. In 1993, American government worked out the Agricultural Adjustment Act, implemented tobacco product control and price support programs and proposed tobacco quotas with a view to protecting the interest of tobacco farmers. As a result, the policy of tobacco quotas had greatly contributed to the fast development of tobacco planting. In the late 1980 s, tobacco planting encountered a new challenge. Both of the export and consumption of tobacco were on a sharp decrease due to the deep understanding of the harm brought by tobacco and all kinds of international competition etc, thus resulting in the reduction in incomings for tobacco farmers. Combine the severe situation and the repeated demonstration, American government worked out the policy of tobacco quota buyout in 2004 which was to free the restrictions on tobacco and replace with transition payment program. Thereafter, tobacco planting in America walked into a new epoch.American tobacco policy has experienced two vital revolutions since the 20 th century in which the economic functions of American government had been reinforced. In the free planting period, America applied with laissez-faire policy in order to reduce the government interference. The implementation of tobacco quota signified the transition from free market to government supervision and interference. Under the guidance of the quota policy, tobacco experienced a relatively stable development period which was indicating that government supervision and interference also facilitated the flourishing development of tobacco. However, in contrast, the policy of tobacco quota buyout symbolizes in the opposite. Though government control in tobacco planting was freed, it failed to signify that the economic function of supervision and interference was removed. Conversely,it was been reinforced and the only difference was that adjustment was made in the way of achieving this function, namely, the direct supervision was replaced by the policy of guidance and support in a given transitional period with a view to facilitating the transformation and development of tobacco planting. Moreover, it also aimed at recovering the tobacco vitality and competitiveness through free market competition.Generally speaking, the evolution of tobacco planting policy was the product of the joint influence of politics, economy and society. Economically, the demand in tobacco consumption has exerted a direct impact on tobacco providence. The stipulation and adjustment of tobacco policy target at balancing the demand and providence of tobacco and alleviating the crisis brought by surplus, thus improving the tobacco price and ensuring the incomings of the tobacco farmers. Politically, government plays a vitally important role in the stipulation of tobacco policy. The transition of government functions and supervision& interference towards tobacco indicates that government is able to seek balance between the participation of each part and group rationally and promote the healthy development of tobacco planting. From the perspective of society, the recognition towards tobacco has a direct effect on tobacco consumption, thus indirectly influencing the tobacco providence and development. All in all, economy, politic and society have jointly contributed to the revolution and development of tobacco planting policy.