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Farmers to get $300 million to quit growing tobacco 

Tobacco farmers are getting more than $300 million in federal money to help them kick the tobacco-growing habit.

Provincial Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced the funds yesterday from the Delhi Tobacco Exchange Auction, the area known as the heart of Ontario's tobacco belt, about 150 kilometres southwest of Toronto. The money includes $286 million for a tobacco transition program to help farmers get out of tobacco farming and $15 million for community development initiatives.

Mr. Ritz said all of the money will come from a $1-billion fine handed down Thursday against Imperial Tobacco and Rothman's Benson & Hedges.

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