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Sahadewo GA, Lencucha R, Bandara S, Drope J, Witoelar F. Assessing the Level of Poverty and Utilization of Government Social Programs Among Tobacco Farmers in Indonesia. Nicotine Tob Res 2024; 26:1132-1140. [PMID: 38456837 PMCID: PMC11339166 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntae050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies examining profit suggest that former tobacco farmers do as well or better than current tobacco farmers. Research has yet to examine the relationship among current and former tobacco farmers, poverty, and receipt of government social assistance. This type of research is critical to understanding the direct and indirect subsidization of tobacco growing. This study analyzed tobacco farmers' poverty levels and receipt of government social assistance programs. AIMS AND METHODS We designed and conducted an original four-wave economic survey of current and former tobacco farming households in Indonesia between 2016 and 2022. We then used descriptive analysis and probit regression for panel data to estimate the relationship between tobacco farming and poverty status. RESULTS Tobacco farmers' per capita income and poverty rates vary across years. The poverty rate was significantly higher in the year with a higher-than-normal rainfall as it negatively affected farming outcomes. During this year, the poverty rate among current tobacco farmers was also higher than that of former tobacco farmers. Regression estimates from the panel data confirm the association between tobacco farming and the likelihood of being poor. We also found a high share of current tobacco farmers who receive government social assistance programs, such as cash transfer programs and a universal healthcare program. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show high poverty rates-particularly during bad farming years-and high rates of government social assistance among tobacco farmers. The high rates of government assistance among tobacco farmers living in poverty show that the government is indirectly subsidizing the tobacco industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo
- Departement of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Raphael Lencucha
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shashika Bandara
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Drope
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Firman Witoelar
- Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Ghaderi A, Khoshakhlagh AH, Gruszecka-Kosowska A, Askari-Lemjiri F, Alemi F, Molavi N, Hazegh P, Farokhi B, Dehkohneh SG, Ghoreishi FS. Heavy metal concentrations and clinical symptoms in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia related to cigarette smoking. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15074. [PMID: 38956098 PMCID: PMC11219874 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64333-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In our study, blood concentrations of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) and urine concentrations of thallium (Tl) were measured together with related symptoms of heavy metal poisoning in cigarette smoking volunteers diagnosed with schizophrenia, in cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia, and in the control group of non-smokers and not diagnosed with schizophrenia volunteers. Our study was performed on 171 volunteers divided into the following subgroups: patients diagnosed with schizophrenia with at least 1 year of continuous cigarette smoking experience (56 participants), cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia with at least one year of continuous smoking experience (58), and control group (not diagnosed with schizophrenia and non-smoking volunteers) (57). Smoking durations of cigarette smokers diagnosed with schizophrenia and cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia are not similar (p = 0.431). Blood Pb, As, and Cd concentrations and urine Tl concentrations were the highest in the subgroup of cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia, followed by the subgroup of cigarette smokers diagnosed with schizophrenia, and the control group. Only blood Pb concentrations were significantly higher (probability value p < 0.05) in the group of cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia (5.16 μg/dL), comparing to the group of cigarette smokers diagnosed with schizophrenia (3.83 μg/dL) and to the control group (3.43 μg/dL). Blood Cd and As concentrations and urine Tl concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia than in the control group. The results revealed a statistically significant positive correlation (p < 0.001) in the cigarette smokers in the schizophrenia diagnosed group between blood Pb, blood As, and urine Tl concentrations and the duration of cigarette smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Ghaderi
- Department of Addiction Studies, School of Medical and Clinical Research Development Unit-Matini/Kargarnejad Hospital, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Khoshakhlagh
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
| | - Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics, and Environmental Protection, Department of Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Fatemeh Alemi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nader Molavi
- Department of Addiction Studies, School of Medical and Clinical Research Development Unit-Matini/Kargarnejad Hospital, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Pooya Hazegh
- Department of Psychiatry, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Bahareh Farokhi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Ghadami Dehkohneh
- Department of Pharmacy, Acharya BM Ready College of Pharmacy, Rajive Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Banglore, Karnataka, India
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Nguenha N, Rodriguez C, Drope J, Bialous SA, Cunguara B, Lencucha R. Tobacco policy (in)coherence in Mozambique: an examination of national and subnational stakeholder perspectives. Health Policy Plan 2024; 39:333-343. [PMID: 38459919 PMCID: PMC11005848 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Mozambique ranks fifth on the list of tobacco producing countries in Africa, while also being a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Tobacco farming is regarded by some governments as a strategic economic commodity for export and remains deeply entrenched within Mozambique's political and economic landscape. This study uses a qualitative description methodology to identify tensions, conflicts and alignment or misalignment in policy on tobacco across government sectors and levels in Mozambique. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 33 key informants from sectors across national and subnational levels including health, agriculture, economic and commercial sectors, as well as non-state actors from civil society organizations, the tobacco industry, farmers unions and associations and individual farmers. Incoherence was present across sectoral mandates, perspectives on industry's presence in the country and regions and between FCTC provisions and informant perceptions of tobacco production as a development strategy. Despite tobacco being viewed as an important economic commodity by many informants, there was also widespread dissatisfaction with tobacco from both farmers and some government officials. There were indications of an openness to shifting to a policy that emphasizes alternatives to tobacco growing. The findings also illustrate where points of convergence exist across sectors and where opportunities for aligning tobacco policy with the provisions of the FCTC can occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Nguenha
- Global Alliance for Tobacco Control, 1 Nicholas St, Suite 1004, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7, Canada
| | - Charo Rodriguez
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, 5858, chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal, Quebec H3S 1Z1, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Drope
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Stella Aguinaga Bialous
- School of Nursing and Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | - Benedito Cunguara
- Ministry of Economy and Finance, Gabinete de Desenvolvimento do Compacto II, Avenida 10 de Novembro, Praça da Marinha, Nº 929, Maputo 929, Mozambique
| | - Raphael Lencucha
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, 3630 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y5, Canada
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Pangapanga-Phiri I, Mungatana E, Mhondoro G. Does contract farming arrangement improve smallholder tobacco productivity? Evidence from Zimbabwe. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23862. [PMID: 38205304 PMCID: PMC10777005 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Contract Farming Arrangements (CFA) can be viewed as a pro-active response to lack of reliable markets and steeply rising input prices. CFA proponents argue that CFA can enhance technical efficiency of tobacco farming and productivity. Thus, in this study, the paper interrogates the effect of CFA on tobacco productivity in southern Africa: Hurungwe district of Zimbabwe. The study controls for both observable and unobservable factors, like age, education, and ability to use information-unknown to the researchers, explaining farmers decision to participate in CFA. The study uses the Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) model, which also acts as a robust check for the Propensity Score Matching techniques as it studies both observable and unobservable factors influencing CFA participation. Based on the ESR model, this study finds that CFA improves tobacco productivity by 39%. Nonetheless, CFA is labour-intensive. Hence, women and the elderly are less likely to participate in CFA, suggesting the need to develop gender-sensitive labour-saving technologies. Even though tobacco products kill their users, we would like to explore whether CFA can make farming more productive or not. We hypothesize that if tobacco farming would be more productive, then perhaps farmers will have enough money to buy food so they can be healthier even if the tobacco leaves, they grow can kill people elsewhere. Thus, these results inform CFA-related policies that improve smallholder tobacco productivity in Southern Africa. With existing tobacco controls, these results are equally valid to other cash crops where most developing economies anticipate the majority resource-constrained smallholder farmers to shift their production systems entirely away from tobacco in the immediate future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Innocent Pangapanga-Phiri
- Center for Agricultural Research and Development (CARD), Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Bunda College of Agriculture, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Africa Centre for Agricultural Policy Analysis (APA), Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Bunda College of Agriculture, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, Bunda College of Agriculture, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Eric Mungatana
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Gwenzi Mhondoro
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa
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Mogo ER, Shanawaz S, Ademola-Popoola O, Iqbal N, Aghedo O, Ademola M, Onyemaobi N, Eniayewun A, Ademusire B, Adaramola T, Ugwu A, Obi A, Lerno A, Nwagbara J, Uwimana A, Gbadamosi E, Adebisi A, Sako B. A strategic analysis of health behaviour change initiatives in Africa. Glob Health Action 2023; 16:2202931. [PMID: 37129058 PMCID: PMC10155632 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2202931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changed health behaviours can contribute significantly to improved health. Consequently, significant investments have been channelled towards health behaviour change initiatives in Africa. Health behaviour change initiatives that address social, economic and environmental levers for behaviour change can create more sustained impact. OBJECTIVES Through a scoping study of the literature, we explored the literature on behaviour change initiatives in Africa, to assess their typologies. We explored whether the availability of initiatives reflected country demographic characteristics, namely life expectancy, gross domestic product (GDP), and population sizes. Finally, we assessed topical themes of interventions relative to frequent causes of mortality. METHODS We used the Behaviour Change Wheel intervention categories to categorise each paper into a typology of initiatives. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, we explored whether there was a correlation between the number of initiatives implemented in a country in the specified period, and socio-demographic indicators, namely, GDP per capita, total GDP, population size, and life expectancy. RESULTS Almost 64% of African countries were represented in the identified initiatives. One in five initiatives was implemented in South Africa, while there was a dearth of literature from Central Africa and western parts of North Africa. There was a positive correlation between the number of initiatives and GDP per capita. Most initiatives focused on addressing sexually transmitted infections and were short-term trials and/or pilots. Most initiatives were downstream focused e.g. with education and training components, while upstream intervention types such as the use of incentives were under-explored. CONCLUSION We call for more emphasis on initiatives that address contextual facilitators and barriers, integrate considerations for sustainable development, and consider intra-regional deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Neelam Iqbal
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Osazemen Aghedo
- Faculty of Movement and Rehabilitative Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Muili Ademola
- College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Nnenna Onyemaobi
- Department of Public Health, University of Ibadan Oyo State, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Adaobi Ugwu
- Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
| | - Adaora Obi
- Stobhill Hospital, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Binta Sako
- Tobacco and Other NCD risk factors Team, Universal health Coverage/Healthier Populations, Inter Country Support Team for West Africa, WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, The Republic of the Congo
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Hiscock R, Alaouie H, Matthes BK, Mehegan J, Bloomfield MJ. Hosting the Tobacco Industry Supply Chain and Political Interference. Nicotine Tob Res 2023; 25:1847-1855. [PMID: 37707978 PMCID: PMC10664082 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntad178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We found no comprehensive studies on the location of transnational tobacco and leaf company (TTLC) subsidiaries (business entities they control) or the consequences of their presence on health policy. AIMS AND METHODS Here we assess (1) the global reach of TTLCs by mapping their tobacco growing and manufacturing subsidiaries and (2) the relationship between in-country presence of the tobacco industry and their power and interference. Data on subsidiaries were collated through systematic searching for countries' supply chain activities in documents and web pages. Cross-sectional multiple regression analysis was used to assess the association between the number of agricultural and manufacturing TTLCs and the Tobacco Industry Interference score, and the degree to which these were mediated by tobacco control, good governance, and economic importance of tobacco. RESULTS TTLC supply chain activity had global reach. As the number of TTLCs with tobacco growing and manufacturing activities rose, interference increased significantly. Interference was associated with poorer tobacco control. The association with more TTLCs undertaking final product manufacturing was related to higher-value tobacco exports but was not related to tobacco making a bigger contribution to the economy. CONCLUSIONS TTLCs continue to control the global tobacco supply chain through their globe-spanning subsidiaries. The presence of TTLCs in a country is associated with political interference. Countries should consider their participation in the tobacco supply chain alongside the understanding that they are likely to cede political power to TTLCs, potentially undermining the health of their populations. IMPLICATIONS Tobacco control research has traditionally concentrated on the demand side of tobacco. Our results lend support to calls for more research on the supply of tobacco. Governments should require tobacco companies to provide detailed, up-to-date information in an easily accessible format on in-country supply chain activities. Policymakers should take the likelihood of political interference in health and environmental policy into account when making decisions about foreign direct investment offered by the tobacco industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary Hiscock
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Hala Alaouie
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Britta K Matthes
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Centre for Development Studies, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - John Mehegan
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Michael J Bloomfield
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Centre for Development Studies, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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Ahsan A, Amalia N, Rahmayanti KP, Adani N, Wiyono NH, Endawansa A, Utami MG, Yuniar AM. Health taxes in Indonesia: a review of policy debates on the tobacco, alcoholic beverages and sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in the media. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012042. [PMID: 37813444 PMCID: PMC10565181 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION One of the WHO's 'best buys' in controlling non-communicable diseases and their risk factors is to impose health taxes. While the Indonesian political process inhibits the implementation of health tax policy, studies to discuss the issue remain limited. METHODS We employed media analysis to document health tax policy dynamics, for example, the changes in policy timeline and key actors' statements. We conducted an article search in the Open-Source Intelligence database using appropriate terminology on three commodities, for example, tobacco, alcoholic beverages and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). RESULTS Throughout the 15 years of implementation (2007-2022), tobacco has received the most policy attention compared with the other two commodities. This is mainly related to the increasing tariff and reforming the tax structure. As Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country, alcohol consumption is low, and a tax on alcoholic beverages was nearly unchanging and lacked media coverage. Ministry of Finance (MoF) officials are key opinion leaders often cited in the media for health taxes. MoF's support for health taxes is important to pass and implement health taxes. While SSB taxation is emerging, key opinion leaders' media statements imply policy contestation, leading to delayed implementation. The policy debates on tobacco taxation implied election years as a major challenge for health tax passages. During the political years, anti-health tax arguments emerged from politicians. While the political contestation on SSB concluded that accentuating the health tax arguments in favour of public health generates the strongest opposition against taxation from the industry. CONCLUSIONS Politics of tobacco tax implementation are complex-compared with the other two commodities. The political context drives the divided views among policy-makers. Policy recommendations include generating public allies with key religious opinion leaders, continuing capacity building for politicians and Ministry of Health, and generating evidence-based arguments in favour of public health for MoF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdillah Ahsan
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
- Demographic Institute, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Nadira Amalia
- Demographic Institute, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Krisna Puji Rahmayanti
- Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Administrative Science, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Nadhila Adani
- Center for Research in Islamic Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia Faculty of Economics and Business, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Nur Hadi Wiyono
- Demographic Institute, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Althof Endawansa
- Demographic Institute, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Maulida Gadis Utami
- Demographic Institute, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Adela Miranti Yuniar
- Center for Research in Islamic Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia Faculty of Economics and Business, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
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Paraje GR, Jha P, Savedoff W, Fuchs A. Taxation of tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages: reviewing the evidence and dispelling the myths. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e011866. [PMID: 37813440 PMCID: PMC10565262 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-011866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The article reviews the large body of evidence on how taxation affects the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). There is abundant evidence that demand for tobacco, alcohol, and SSB is price-responsive and that tax changes are quickly passed on to consumers. This suggests that taxes can be highly effective in changing consumption and reducing the burden of diseases associated with consuming these products. Tobacco, alcohol, and SSB industries oppose taxation on similar grounds, mostly on the regressivity of taxes since regressive taxes take a larger percentage of income from low income earners than from middle and high income earners; but also on the effects taxes might have on employment and economic activity; and, in the case of tobacco, the effects taxation has on illicit trade.Contrary to industry arguments, evidence shows that taxation may have short-term negative financial consequences for low-income households. However, medium and long-term financial benefits from reduced healthcare costs, better health, and welfare largely compensate for such consequences. Moreover, taxation does not negatively affect aggregate economic activity or employment, as consumers switch demand to other products that generate employment and may compensate for any employment loss in taxed sectors. Evidence also shows the revenues generated are generally spent on labour-intensive services. In the case of illicit trade in tobacco, evidence shows that illicit trade has not increased globally (rather the opposite) despite increases in tobacco taxes. Profit-maximising smugglers increase illicit cigarette prices along with the increases in licit cigarette prices. This implies that even when increased taxes divert some demand to the illicit market, they push prices up in the illicit market, discouraging consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo R Paraje
- Escuela de Negocios, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago de Chile, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policies (nDP), Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Prabhat Jha
- CGHR, Centre for Global Health Research, St. Michael's Hospital and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Alan Fuchs
- World Bank, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Lencucha R. Future of farming must be food not tobacco. Tob Control 2023; 32:269-270. [PMID: 37080585 PMCID: PMC10176362 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Lencucha
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Ali M, Shahrier M, Kafy AA, Ara I, Javed A, Fattah M, Rahaman ZA, Tripura K. Environmental impact assessment of tobacco farming in northern Bangladesh. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14505. [PMID: 36967923 PMCID: PMC10036671 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tobacco farming in Bangladesh has significant and far-reaching environmental impacts, affecting the land, water, and air. While the country has implemented tobacco control measures, the lack of monitoring and enforcement has resulted in environmental degradation and public health concerns. This study aims to document the environmental impact of tobacco farming in Bangladesh, adopting a qualitative approach to collect and analyze data. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a structured questionnaire survey to gather data, assessing the impact of tobacco farming on the environment, socioeconomic conditions, and human health using a five-point impact assessment scale. Results illustrated that tobacco cultivation contributes to the ecosystem and natural resource degradation, leading to a loss of habitat diversity and domestic animal death. Soil erosion, water pollution, and air pollution from excessive plowing and pesticide usage have also been observed, causing skin diseases and other health issues. Despite some economic benefits, social conditions have worsened due to drug addiction and conflicts among tobacco workers. The study will help policymakers and environmentalists by highlighting the need to take action in reducing the environmental and social impacts of tobacco farming in Bangladesh. It also informs the public about the potential tobacco production and consumption risks. This study provides important insights into the adverse effects of tobacco farming in Bangladesh and emphasizes the importance of implementing appropriate measures to reduce environmental and public health impacts.
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