The city of Greenville, N.C., is wrestling with the question of whether the tobacco leaf is a legitimate symbol of civic pride, with some local lawmakers calling for tobacco imagery to be added to signs promoting the city, the Greenville Daily Reflector reported April 10.

The signs would direct visitors to various sights in the city, such as downtown, historic neighborhoods, and East Carolina University. Councilwoman Rose Glover said that the tobacco leaf honors the city's economic past, but city planner Carl Rees said he had received "surprisingly strong opposition" to including the tobacco symbol on the signs.

Glover said a compromise might be to use the City Council seal -- which also includes a tobacco leaf --- on the signs.