Tennessee AG Asks Country Singer to Stop “Glamorizing” Use of Smokeless Tobacco

Tennessee AG Paul Summers says Gretchen Wilson may be violating the 1998 settlement between tobacco companies and the state of Tennessee when she uses a tin of Skoal as a prop during her performances of her hit song “Redneck Woman”. According to CNN’s story, since the tune’s lyrics refer to smokeless tobacco, and Wilson is a popular singer, Summers theorizes that young people may be drawn to smokeless tobacco use simply by example. The U. S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, manufacturer of Skoal, apparently denies any link with Wilson. In response Wilson’s representatives announced she will no longer use the can as a prop. Read more here and here.