Mo. tobacco farmers struggle

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Missouri farmers report they're struggling to sell tobacco after Philip Morris stopped buying the crops last year.

Farmers told the St. Joseph News-Press they're unsure where to sell the tobacco and might have to seek buyers across state lines.

Last year, tobacco mogul Philip Morris USA announced it would no longer buy Missouri tobacco.

Louis Smither, co-owner of the New Deal Tobacco Warehouse, said smoking bans and increased cigarette taxes have lowered demand.

Smither says small farmers are being pinched.