Use of tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, remains as popular as ever in the five-county region, according to those who sell tobacco in its various shapes, forms and flavors.
Most people stick to their brand.
The makers of cigarettes and their sales representatives are most averse to answering reporters' questions about their product. An industry observer, who asked that neither he nor his company be identified, says he's seen no slump in cigarette sales but suggests that sooner or later, the higher prices will result in fewer cigarettes being sold in the United States. If the cigarette representatives were reticent, the representatives of the companies that make snuff, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco and cigars were just the opposite as they told of the increasing popularity of their products. Swisher, recently taken private, manufactures all tobacco products except cigarettes. Snuff sales have increased, reports Swartz, especially among younger people, that is, males in their 20s.