From field to store, tobacco generates detrimental effects on our health and the health of our planet. It’s time to break the cycle of tobacco dependence and protect our young generations.

The story of the tobacco plant and the act of smoking began in the 15th century and initially targeted soldiers serving on the front lines during wars. It was then introduced in Asia when the Spanish brought it to the Philippines from Mexico in 1575 until it arrived in Java in 1601, replacing the tradition of betel chewing with smoking kretek cigarettes. Over time, their usage increased rapidly, cultivating a vast global audience and loyal and addicted consumers. As centuries passed, tobacco products ceased to be exclusively marketed toward men and began extending their reach to women and young individuals. The damaging effects of tobacco on health, the economy, and the environment have been on the rise ever since, making it one of the biggest public health threats responsible for the deaths of more than 8 million people worldwide annually.

Tobacco and youth are two words that should not co-exist. Yet, in today’s world, we see a contrasting reality. The statistics are alarming: Nearly half of the child population worldwide is exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) and it is estimated that 80% of all adult smokers begin smoking before they reach 20 years old. Today, tobacco smoking among children aged 13-15 stands at a staggering 7%, with Indonesia facing a particular crisis, where over 19% of adolescents in this age group (equivalent to over 12 million people) are active smokers.

The rise in young smokers can be attributed to the significant impact of tobacco advertising. A recent prospective cohort study reported that young individuals who had no previous experience with tobacco and used social media daily were 67% more inclined to start using tobacco within a year. This study indicates the powerful role marketing strategies played by the tobacco industry in deliberately targeting young people through extensive tobacco-related content on social media platforms.

From the Indonesian tobacco industry perspective, clove cigarettes (kretek) provide employment and livelihood opportunities for between 4 and 17 million people, including areas such as cultivation, trading, transportation, advertising, and production. It is the second largest employer after the Indonesian government and thus remains a key economic driver in the country. However, the reality is much bleaker for farmers. While tobacco generates over 150 trillion Indonesian Rupiah annually for the national income through cigarette taxes, the impact is not reflected in the welfare of tobacco farmers. This disparity raises significant questions about the true beneficiaries of the tobacco trade.

Unveiling the perils of smoking for families and farmers

The harmful impacts of smoking on health have been extensively documented and supported by numerous scientific research. Smoking has been found to harm blood vessels, causing them to thicken and narrow, thereby increasing the likelihood of blood clots forming in the vessels. This is closely linked to the development of coronary heart disease. Smokers are reported to be 2 to 4 times more likely to develop coronary heart disease compared to non-smokers due to these effects. Additionally, smoking can lead to cancer in various organs within the body, including lung cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer. Given the numerous diseases associated with smoking, an analysis based on the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study revealed that tobacco was the cause of 8.71 million deaths and 229.77 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).

Tobacco smoking has detrimental effects not only on the firsthand smoke but also on those who are exposed to secondhand smoke. A recent meta-analysis has shown that secondhand smoke is linked with an increased risk of having ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and lung cancer by 8%, 5%, 1%, and 1% respectively. Furthermore, exposure to cigarette smoke has been found to have negative consequences on children's nutritional status. A study conducted focused on children under 5 years from impoverished rural families in Indonesia found that having a smoking father increases the likelihood of experiencing stunting by 1.8 times. The risk becomes even higher when both parents are smokers, with a 3.59 times increase in the likelihood of stunting. One possible explanation for this correlation is that parental smoking diverts financial resources away from purchasing nutritious food, leading to worsened child malnutrition.

Health risks are also seen among tobacco farmers responsible for the production side, from nicotine poisoning (green tobacco sickness) to health complications resulting from pesticide exposure. Green tobacco sickness (GTS) is an acute effect of nicotine harvest that is often underreported and underdiagnosed, stemming from the absorption of nicotine through the skin during the handling of uncured tobacco leaves. The nicotine is absorbed through the skin, entering the bloodstream directly and spreading throughout the body. This substance affects the central nervous system, triggering reflex vomiting, and stimulates nerves in the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea and abdominal cramps. Moreover, tobacco growers also had a higher dependency on substances (i.e., smoking, alcohol), which could produce a longer-term negative impact.

The environmental toll of tobacco farming

The health of our planet is also at risk due to the presence of tobacco farming. Tobacco agriculture in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) significantly contributes to deforestation due to small-scale farmers clearing forest land for cultivation and the flue-curing process requiring substantial wood fuel. Approximately 5% of total deforestation is attributed to tobacco farming, further contributing to CO2 emissions and the climate crisis. Studies indicated that tobacco farming practices are unsustainable, leading to serious environmental degradation, including soil degradation and a permanent shift from woodlands to bushlands. 

The environmental impact of tobacco farming extends to food insecurity and hunger. In LMICs, where food insecurity and hunger are prevalent, the amount of land dedicated to tobacco cultivation has been steadily increasing. From 1961 to 2006, the share of land used for tobacco worldwide rose from 70% to 90% in LMICs. This is concerning because the land that is used for growing tobacco could instead be utilized for cultivating food crops. However, this is often not feasible due to the labor-intensive nature of tobacco farming and the long maturation period of 8-9 months. As a result, tobacco farmers find it challenging to grow other crops, including food crops, within the same year.

Time for youth to step in and speak out

The harmful legacy of the tobacco industry stretches from individual health to environmental degradation and social inequality. The need for change is urgent and will require a unified effort from individuals, communities, and policymakers to counteract tobacco's detrimental impact. 

This year, World No Tobacco Day emphasizes the crucial role of youth in stepping up and raising their voices against the evident harmful effects caused by tobacco products and the industry. Youth plays a crucial role in this fight. It starts by becoming aware of the captivating yet often deceptive advertisements of tobacco companies, advocating for stricter regulations about commercial tobacco and smoking in public, and participating in finding solutions for alternative industries and income sources for the farmers and employees in this sector.

Let’s end the tobacco epidemic and build a smoke-free generation together.

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