MOULTRIE ,Ga.

Many of us grew up here in what, at the time, might have been called the ‘tobacco belt.’ In fact Colquitt County was one of the largest tobacco producers in the tri-state area of Georgia, Florida and Alabama. Some of us have vivid memories of croping, stringing and curing that tobacco.

Tobacco was a big cash crop for many years. It was even celebrated here with festivals.

But slowly, as modern medical science began discovering links to numerous illnesses, that segment of our diversified farming scheme went away for the most part. It was replaced by vegetable production, which is somewhat poetic in the big picture of guarding one’s health — replacing bad with good.

Parallel to that crop’s demise, attention to one’s overall health began to grow as well with educational efforts and the physical applications of gyms, bike trails and rule changes.

There is no argument that the use of tobacco can and does cause numerous health problems, especially as it relates to cardio-pulmonary issues. Many private companies now don’t allow smoking on their properties.

?Moultrie City government will not hire smokers. Colquitt County government will hire smokers but they pay much higher premiums for their health insurance than non-smokers.

Some smokers will argue that they have a “right” to smoke. And that is true if they are within the parameters of their private enterprises. But employers reserve the right and even the responsibility to maintain a healthy environment — given that second-hand smoke also impacts the health of non-smokers. As well, they have the right to factor the health coverage costs which can affect all of their employees and taxpayers in general when it comes to government agencies.

At one time, tobacco production was guarded with federal support prices. That also did not make sense because it was neither food nor fiber and the health issues were well established.

It took a long time to see major changes in this venue. The changes came via a mixture of evolution, education and pro-activeness by some parties.

We should hope that this trend of wisdom will continue and that those who use tobacco products will embrace a resolve for better health in this new year.

Meanwhile, those related restrictions by local government are justified and commendable.