New TCRG Research on Farming of Flue-Cured Virginia Tobacco Leaf in Zimbabwe

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A new paper from the Tobacco Control Research Group investigates cultivation of flue-cured Virginia tobacco in Zimbabwe.

The researchers analysed tobacco industry journal articles, carbon disclosure reporting by the big tobacco companies, and in-depth interviews with key informants, as well as focus groups and interviews with tobacco farmers.

Flue-cured Virginia (FCV) makes smoking less harsh and causes more deforestation than other leaf types, and this research is the first study of its kind to consider tobacco leaf type as central to understanding tobacco growing in Zimbabwe.

Lead author Rosemary Hiscock explains:

“Flue curing is a major cause of deforestation in the Miombo woodland in southeast Africa – even tobacco industry sources state that 60,000 hectares are cut down for curing every year in Zimbabwe alone. Though the industry claims to be concerned about deforestation, it has no plans to stop flue curing. Alternative energy sources are too expensive for most farmers and involve other problems: coal, for example, is a fossil fuel which emits higher levels of greenhouse gases than wood, and solar has not been sufficiently developed. Smallholders state they would prefer to grow another crop but currently no other option is financially viable. The tobacco control community should consider restricting the use of flue-cured leaf in tobacco products and work with other partners to develop alternative sustainable and fulfilling livelihoods for smallholders.”

Read the paper:

See the Tobacco Tactics pages:

See also the Tobacco Supply Chain database, and the Tobacco Tactics Long Read:

See also further relevant TCRG research:

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