The US government stops pretending it grades tobacco

The US Department of Agriculture has removed rules for grading and inspecting tobacco. This means the government will no longer officially designate tobacco auction markets or provide mandatory grading services.

For decades, the US government played a role in setting standards for tobacco quality and facilitating its sale through designated markets. This change formalizes a shift that happened years ago, removing obsolete regulations from the books. It reflects the long decline of the US tobacco industry and the government's reduced involvement in its operations.