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Indian tribes sue tobacco company with Granville plant 

Although its headquarters is in New Mexico, Sante Fe makes its products at a plant it opened in Oxford a couple of years ago. The company employs about 80 people at the plant, which makes a line of additive-free cigarettes called American Spirit. The company also recently began producing a line of organically grown, roll-your-own cigarette tobacco.

Santa Fe contracts primarily with North Carolina farmers to grow its organically produced tobacco.

Sante Fe was singled out in the lawsuit because the tribes contend the company has exploited the ceremonial aspect of the golden leaf to Native Americans to sell its products. The lawsuit in particular criticizes the American Spirit brand, whose packs bear the image of a Native American in full headdress smoking a ceremonial pipe. The lawsuit also accuses Sante Fe of aiming its advertising at Native Americans, especially children.

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