Virginia is one of a handful of states that have not sued the tobacco industry. Earley dispatched senior aides to New York to monitor the talks, al- though he was not a negotiator at the table. He pushed for a provision to help protect Virginia tobacco growers and workers, said state officials, who did not want to be named. Earley was out of his office commemorating Veterans Day yesterday and could not be reached for comment. Earley, a Republican, generally views the deal nearing completion as making headway toward curbing teen smoking, while preserving the tobacco companies and workers' jobs and bringing stability for growers, the state officials said.
Tobacco is Virginia's leading cash crop.
Two representatives of Virginia tobacco growers and manufacturing workers who have heard from Earley's office about the possible pact were hopeful yesterday. Stephen Spain, of Machinists Union Lodge 10, said it would cause short-term problems for workers and cigarette plants. According to the Los Angeles Times, the tobacco industry would pay for the settlement with a price increase of about 35 cents per pack. C.D. Bryant III, chairman of the Concerned Friends for Tobacco group in Southside Virginia, was hopeful the pact would stabilize the tobacco industry and thereby ease growers' fears. As for the industry and tobacco state representatives meeting over ways to address possible economic fallout from a pact, Bryant was upbeat.