This campaign, presented by the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Articles 17 and 18, informs about the environmental impacts of tobacco cultivation and use, as well as the health risks tobacco workers are exposed to.

Tobacco growing is linked to deforestation and to soil, air and water pollution. Tobacco product waste is also a serious environmental issue, with 766,500 tons of cigarette butts dumped into the environment every year. Electronic cigarettes generate both plastic and electronic and toxic waste.

Tobacco farmers are susceptible to the Green Tobacco Sickness, a type of nicotine poisoning that occurs while handling tobacco plants. They also face risk of pesticide poisoning and can develop skin problems related to excessive sun exposure.

The campaign features social media cards available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. They will soon be available in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, and Russian.

All the materials can be downloaded on this link.

The information and views set out on this campaign are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, or the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC.

This campaign, presented by the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Articles 17 and 18, addresses the promotion of economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers.

Tobacco growing harms the environment and the health of workers, but many farmers find it difficult to switch to other crops. In general, they are trapped in the tobacco industry by debts contracted for the purchase of equipment, seeds and inputs. Furthermore, in tobacco producing regions, common sense says that there are no viable alternatives. But this is not true. That there are sustainable and profitable crops that can replace tobacco, and public policies are needed to support tobacco growers during this transition.

The campaign features social media cards available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. They will soon be available in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, and Russian.

All the materials can be downloaded on this link.

The information and views set out on this campaign are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, or the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC.