Alternatives to Tobacco cultivation—Towards an evidence based approach

Abstract

The discussion about alternatives for tobacco cultivation is a very conflicting issue as it strikes into the heart of the tobacco industry which is the tobacco leaf. The aim of the paper is to contribute to this discussion and support the policy makers. To this end, the paper provides an evidence based approach for modeling the phasing-out of tobacco which describes the possible effects on farm income, labor demand and environmental impacts. In the context of the EU Research Project DIVTOB a model was developed to study the impacts of tobacco phasing-out on a specific region approach. The methodological approach can support the policy makers to overcome constraints related with the future implementation of alternative livelihoods to tobacco cultivation on the basis of evidence. In the broader context of tobacco control, the paper presents a method for an effective implementation of articles 17 and 18 of the WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC). The paper also shows a transparent approach to overcome in an effective way the uncertainties spread by the tobacco industry and their allies about phasing-out of tobacco especially in low-income and middle-income countries. The application of the proposed model to four case studies in Greece and Spain achieves, under different scenarios, important results useful for policy makers and policy implications.