The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it is committed to assisting tobacco farmers in Africa in transitioning to other crops.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, advised African countries to impose environmental taxes on tobacco across the value and supply chains, including production, processing, distribution, sales, consumption, and waste management, in a statement commemorating World No Tobacco Day.
“I also encourage our countries to speed up their implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which provides the necessary guidance for advancing the creation of smoke-free environments, developing programmes to help tobacco users quit, and supporting the use of excise taxes and other financial countermeasures.
“Reducing tobacco consumption is a critical step toward achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but the benefits go far beyond health,” Moeti said.
While acknowledging that tobacco farming poses health risks to farmers, the WHO expressed regret that “tobacco growing is a significant driver of deforestation as well, due to the large quantities of wood required for curing.”
“In turn, deforestation contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change, as well as biodiversity loss, land degradation, and desertification.”
“It is estimated that the need for wood to cure tobacco accounts for 12% of all deforestation in Southern Africa.
“Tobacco farming also exposes farmers to a variety of health risks, including “green tobacco sickness,” which is caused by nicotine absorbed through the skin while handling wet tobacco leaves, as well as pesticides and tobacco dust exposure.”
Cigarette butts are the single largest category of litter, according to the statement, “with research showing that cellulose acetate-based cigarette filters are largely non-biodegradable.”
“Cigarette butts litter streets, parks, and beaches, eventually making their way into waterways and leaching harmful chemicals that poison animals, aquatic life, and children.”
Despite 24 African countries prohibiting smoking in public places and 35 prohibiting tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, “our estimates are that one in every ten African adolescents uses tobacco,” according to the WHO.
“The emergence of new products, such as electronic nicotine and tobacco products, are also proving appealing to youths, adding to the concerns.”
“The environmental impacts of tobacco farming include massive use of water, which is a scarce resource across most of the continent, along with large-scale deforestation and contamination of our air and water systems,” the WHO Chief said.
“Tobacco-growing land could be put to much better use, especially in countries where food insecurity is a problem.
“To help combat the threat, WHO has partnered with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Kenyan government to launch the Tobacco-Free Farms project.
“The project, which began in March, assists farms in transitioning from tobacco to alternative food crops that will help feed communities rather than harm their health. Through the World Food Programme’s local procurement initiatives, UN agencies and the Kenyan government provide training, inputs like seeds and fertiliser, and a ready market for their harvest.”
