A study highlights the ecological and social damage caused by tobacco cultivation in Zimbabwe

A study conducted by the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath analyzed the environmental and socio-economic effects of hot-air-cured Virginia tobacco (FCV) production, one of the most widely used types of tobacco leaves in the world. The findings highlight significant impacts on forest ecosystems and the livelihoods of farmers, particularly in Zimbabwe.[1].

Small producers kept in economic dependence on tobacco

Zimbabwe is among the world's leading producers of FCV tobacco. The country ranks third globally. This tobacco represents 99.95% of the country's national tobacco leaf exports, valued at approximately US$1 billion, or more than 2% of the country's GDP, which is estimated at US$44 billion.

Approximately 100,000 small farmers, including children, are involved in tobacco cultivation. These farmers are generally under contract with large tobacco companies. The contracts include loans for the purchase of agricultural inputs but require farmers to sell their produce exclusively to the contracting company, which sets the prices.

This system limits competition and reduces producers' ability to generate sufficient margins to invest in environmental protection or switch to other crops.

A production process that contributes to global pollution and deforestation

FCV tobacco is primarily used in cigarette manufacturing. After harvesting, the leaves are dried for several days in heated barns, a process requiring large quantities of wood.

According to the study, approximately 60,000 hectares of Miombo forests, the world's largest dry tropical forest ecosystem spanning seven countries, including northeastern Zimbabwe, are destroyed each year to fuel this Zimbabwe manufacturing process, contributing to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore to global climate change.

The authors point out that this type of tobacco is sought after by the industry for its high sugar content and low nicotine content, characteristics obtained through a production process that is intensive in natural resources.

The authors of the study also point out that some multinational companies are increasingly outsourcing tobacco drying activities to low or middle-income countries, where environmental regulatory frameworks are less strict.

Dr. Michael Bloomfield, co-author of the study and member of the Center for Development Studies, explains that tobacco companies in countries like the United States and China are increasingly relocating tobacco drying to countries like Zimbabwe, where oversight is less strict, thus effectively outsourcing deforestation.

Reducing the supply and demand of FCV in a country where the industry is ubiquitous

The authors point out that environmental protection and the diversification of agricultural crops constitute one of the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), particularly in its articles 17 and 18.

These provisions include support for the development of economically viable alternative agricultural sectors for farmers, enabling them to reduce their dependence on tobacco, or even to completely withdraw from this crop, with increased financial and logistical support. According to the Tobacco Atlas, in 2023, Zimbabwe produced 236,818 tonnes of tobacco on 136,126 hectares of quality agricultural land that could have been used for food crops.

The study authors also suggest that measures to reduce demand for FCV tobacco could be considered within the framework of the UNFCTC provisions relating to the regulation of tobacco product content (Articles 9 and 10), through regulations on additives, flavoring, and potentially limiting the use of FCV leaf in manufacturing. Furthermore, they believe that better consumer information on the environmental consequences of tobacco production methods should be ensured at this level.

Finally, reforestation efforts must be strengthened and better managed to preserve the Miombo ecosystem, prioritizing effective and sustainable actions.

This would allow the country, which became a Party to the FCTC treaty by accession on December 4, 2014, to be less economically dependent on the tobacco industry. The latter remains very present and influential in the country for the time being. also weakens multilateral health policies during international negotiations via this country.

This same industry aggressively markets its products to low-income populations and young people, in a country where smoking among children and adolescents aged 10-14 was extremely high in 2023 (17.05 % for boys and 11.2 % for girls).

The southern African country is therefore far behind in implementing anti-smoking policies: there are no smoke-free areas in public and shared spaces (offices, restaurants, bars, etc.), no smoking cessation services, only textual warnings on cigarette packs that cover on average only 20% of the front and back, no anti-smoking media campaigns, and no direct or indirect ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, or sponsorship.[2].

Furthermore, the new products – electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, snus – are not regulated by any specific law in the country.[3] while the few provisions applicable to tobacco products are not applied to heated tobacco.

Only the implementation of strict public health measures corresponding to the transposition of the FCTA measures into the domestic law of this country and their application would allow Zimbabwe to reduce the grip of FCV and more broadly of the tobacco industry on local health, the economy and the environment.

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[1]Hiscock R, Matthes BK, Bloomfield MJ, Flue-cured tobacco in Zimbabwe: a particularly harmful commodity requiring the attention of tobacco control, Tobacco Control, published on January 12, 2026, accessed on January 19, 2026

[2]Drope J, Hamill S, Country profile: Zimbabwe, The Tobacco Atlas, New York: Vital Strategies and Economics for Health, published in 2025, accessed on January 20, 2026

[3]Tobacco smoking in Zimbabwe, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, updated December 11, 2025, accessed January 20, 2026

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