Proposed Tobacco Buyout May Go Up In Smoke

RALEIGH, N.C. — It appears a proposed tobacco buyout is going up in smoke.

House and Senate lawmakers on Capitol Hill say the leaf quota system is falling short of votes. The proposed $7 billion plan has tobacco companies footing the bill, but it also reduces the amount farmers would get.

Some tobacco farmers in Wilson say the proposal is better than nothing.

"It's not exactly what we wanted. It's not exactly what we needed. It does have some problems, but we are elated that we're finally reached this point," tobacco farmer Pender Sharp said.

"Something has got to happen or else we will continue on this slow road to extinction," tobacco farmer Jerome Vick said.

House Republicans from North Carolina had hoped to get the buyout on an end-of-the-year spending bill.