Tobacco Production Falls Globally but Rises 9% in Africa, WHO Finds

GENEVA – Global tobacco-leaf production declined by nearly 19% between 2012 and 2024, but production in Africa increased by almost 9% over the same period, according to a new analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The analysis also found that Africa’s cigarette import bill more than doubled, rising from US$833 million to US$1.77 billion between 2012 and 2024.

The findings point to a development pattern in which African countries are producing and exporting increasing amounts of raw tobacco leaf while also spending significantly more to import manufactured cigarettes.

WHO said the issue extends beyond tobacco control, raising concerns related to health, trade, development, farmer livelihoods and the environment.

“This is not just a tobacco-control issue. It is a health, trade, development and environmental issue,” said Dr Vinayak Prasad, Head of the Tobacco Free Initiative at WHO.

“Tobacco farming exposes workers and families to serious health risks, damages the environment and can trap farmers in cycles of debt. At the same time, African economies are spending more on imported cigarettes that fuel addiction, disease and premature death,” he said.

Africa produced more than 639,000 tonnes of tobacco leaf in 2024

Africa accounted for around 11% of global tobacco-leaf production in 2024, producing more than 639,000 tonnes of tobacco leaf.

Production is highly concentrated across the continent. The five largest producers — Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique and Uganda, in descending order — account for the large majority of Africa’s tobacco output.

East Africa alone accounts for nearly 90% of African tobacco-leaf production, according to the WHO analysis.

Health risks associated with tobacco farming

The WHO analysis highlights health risks faced by tobacco farmers, workers and their families.

One of these is green tobacco sickness, which is caused by nicotine absorbed through the skin when workers handle wet tobacco leaves.

Tobacco farmers and workers may also be exposed to pesticides and tobacco dust.

The analysis also notes that in some low- and middle-income countries, children from poor households miss school to work in tobacco farming to help supplement family income.

Environmental concerns

Tobacco cultivation also consumes land, water and other natural resources that could otherwise support food production and sustainable livelihoods.

According to WHO, tobacco farming is associated with soil degradation, pesticide exposure, deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions from the curing process.

The environmental concerns add to the health and livelihood issues associated with tobacco cultivation highlighted in the analysis.

WHO questions tobacco’s economic importance

The analysis also challenges the argument that tobacco is economically indispensable for most countries.

WHO found that tobacco-leaf exports account for more than 1% of GDP in only a small number of economies, such as Zimbabwe and Malawi.

For most countries, the economic contribution of tobacco production and trade is limited, while the health, social and environmental costs remain substantial, according to WHO.

“Countries need support to move away from economic dependence on a product that harms health, farmers and the environment,” Dr Prasad said.

“The data show why trade and development policies must be aligned with public health and sustainable development goals.”

WHO calls for support to diversify away from tobacco

WHO is calling for stronger support for countries seeking to diversify away from tobacco production.

The organisation also called for measures to protect farming communities, strengthen tobacco-control policies and reduce the economic burden caused by tobacco use and trade.

Under Articles 17 and 18 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, countries are encouraged to promote economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers and growers and to protect the environment and human health from the harms of tobacco cultivation.

The WHO analysis therefore places Africa’s rising tobacco production within a broader discussion involving public health, trade, development, farmer livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

While global tobacco-leaf production declined by nearly one-fifth between 2012 and 2024, production in Africa moved in the opposite direction. During the same period, Africa’s cigarette import bill more than doubled.

WHO’s findings underline the need for stronger support for countries seeking to diversify away from tobacco production while protecting farming communities, human health and the environment.