Cigarettes: Anatomy of an Industry from Seed to Smoke

Description

Cigarettes are the most conspicuous consumer product on the planet and arguably the biggest business success story of the 20th century. Here, in one accessible book, is the seed-to-smoke story of this 48 billion dollar industry. Parker-Pope shoes how tobacco leaves are picked, processed and packaged; explains why tobacco is the Holy Grail of cash crops; examines Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, BAT and the other tobacco giants; reveals the vital roles that governments, the military and the entertainment industry have played in cigarettes' success; and puts the continuing arguments over public health in historic context.

Tara Parker-Pope, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, lives in New York City.

'I'll tell you why I like the cigarette business. It costs a penny to make. Sell it for a dollar. It's addictive. And there's fantastic brand loyalty.' - Warren Buffett, investor.