Zimbabwe faces new tobacco ban threat

Zimbabwe's multi-billion-dollar tobacco industry is facing a potential crisis as the World Health Organization (WHO) considers tighter global controls - and possibly a ban - on tobacco production. The proposed measures stem from concerns over alleged child labour, environmental degradation, and market concentration in the financing of the crop.

If implemented, the move could severely hurt Zimbabwe's economy, as tobacco remains the country's fourth-largest foreign currency earner after gold, platinum, and diaspora remittances. The crop generated about US$1.2 billion this year, accounting for nearly 10 percent of agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supporting more than 135,000 growers nationwide.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka revealed the threat during the recent "T5 Meeting" held in Harare, which brought together tobacco-producing countries from the region, including Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The gathering sought to build a united front to defend the sector from what Dr. Masuka described as "external pressures" that could cripple millions of livelihoods.

Dr. Masuka warned that the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and other anti-tobacco forums were intensifying efforts to discourage production in developing countries. He said such measures would not only devastate economies like Zimbabwe's but also deepen poverty among farmers who depend on the crop.

"In Zimbabwe, the tobacco sector faces a few headwinds such as the WHO-led anti-smoking lobby; stricter traceability requirements; environmental concerns from deforestation; child labour accusations which must be demystified; perceived concentration risk in contract financing; low inclusivity at some nodes of the value chain; nesting and side marketing; and outdated legislation," said Dr. Masuka. "This Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan will address many of the local challenges, while this meeting of T5 countries will address the international lobby challenges."

The minister insisted that tobacco is a legal crop and that efforts to criminalise its production are unjustified. "Smoking is an adult choice, and for T5 economies, tobacco is a legal crop that should continue to be grown without any fear," he said.

Despite global opposition, Zimbabwe's tobacco sector has continued to grow. The country achieved a record-breaking output of 355 million kilogrammes in the last season - the highest in its history - earning farmers a total of US$1.2 billion, with the average farmer taking home about US$9,000.

The government's Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan seeks to increase production to 500 million kilogrammes by 2030 while promoting value addition, local financing and environmental sustainability. The plan also targets beneficiation of 100 million kilogrammes of tobacco and aims to localise 50 percent of financing by the end of the decade.

Dr. Masuka said the government was implementing a comprehensive package of policy, legislative and institutional reforms to ensure long-term sustainability. He also highlighted efforts to reduce risk by encouraging the cultivation of "alternate - not alternative - crops" to diversify incomes without threatening the country's tobacco dominance.

"Zimbabwe also aims to develop the tobacco market into a US$7 billion industry by 2030," he said.

However, analysts warn that if the WHO proceeds with its restrictions or imposes trade barriers, Zimbabwe's economy could face a major setback. Such measures would threaten export earnings, rural livelihoods, and economic stability at a time when the country is already grappling with inflation, drought and low industrial output.