Health Over Profit: WHO Urges Governments To Withdraw Support For Tobacco Farming

On World No Tobacco Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments worldwide to cease subsidizing tobacco farming and instead promote more sustainable crops that could potentially feed millions of people. According to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,

WHO Director-General, tobacco is responsible for approximately 8 million deaths each year, yet governments continue to spend large sums of money supporting tobacco farms. By shifting the focus from tobacco to food production, countries can prioritize health, safeguard ecosystems, and enhance food security for their populations.  

The issue of acute food insecurity affects over 300 million individuals globally, while more than 3 million hectares of land across 120 countries are allocated to growing tobacco, even in nations where people suffer from hunger. In response to these challenges, WHO has released a report titled “Grow food, not tobacco,” which highlights the negative consequences of tobacco cultivation and emphasizes the benefits of transitioning to sustainable food crops.

The report also sheds light on the tobacco industry’s exploitative practices, including trapping farmers in cycles of debt, exaggerating the economic advantages of tobacco growing, and influencing policy through farming front groups.  

The adverse effects of tobacco farming extend beyond global food insecurity. Farmers themselves are exposed to chemical pesticides, tobacco smoke, and nicotine levels equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes, resulting in chronic lung conditions and nicotine poisoning. Furthermore, it is estimated that more than 1 million child laborers work on tobacco farms, depriving them of educational opportunities.  

Although the focus on tobacco farming has historically centered on Asia and South America, recent data indicates that tobacco companies are expanding their operations in Africa. Since 2005, there has been an almost 20% increase in tobacco farming land across the continent.

To address this issue, WHO, along with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme, supports the Tobacco Free Farms initiative. This program aims to assist over 5,000 farmers in Kenya and Zambia in transitioning to sustainable food crops instead of tobacco.  

In recognition of World No Tobacco Day, which commemorates the efforts made in tobacco control, Ms. Sprina Robi Chacha, a female farmer from Kenya, is being honored as one of the Awardees. Ms. Chacha has not only shifted from tobacco farming to cultivating high-protein beans but has also trained hundreds of other farmers in this transition, thereby creating a healthier community.  

Currently, 182 Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control have committed to promoting economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers and growers. A crucial step in fulfilling this commitment is for countries to discontinue subsidies for tobacco farming and instead support the cultivation of healthier crops.

The call to prioritize food production over tobacco cultivation aligns with the objectives of improving health outcomes, preserving ecosystems, and strengthening global food security.