The yield by total leaf weight may be similar with or without the suckers removed. Aside from the diminished quality of the primary leaf when suckers are allowed to remain, you will need to handle more individual leaves that are smaller. Labor is more closely related to leaf count than to weight. Over the centuries, most tobacco growers have chosen to remove the suckers regularly, in order to decrease cost (work time) and improve the rated quality of their crops (value).
My own experience has been that the presence of suckers increases the rate of aphid (and other pest) infestation late in the season. I suspect this is because the tiny suckers contain a lower nicotine concentration.
Bob