Climate change is arguably one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century with severe impacts on humanity. While the health implications of tobacco use are well-documented, the environmental damage caused by the tobacco industry is equally concerning. Tobacco is responsible for over 8 million deaths globally- 7 million of these deaths are caused by direct use of tobacco while 1.2 million are a result of second-hand smoke. 

Given the ongoing climate crisis, the tobacco industry poses a significant threat to the planet, ranking among the world’s largest polluters and contributors to global warming. The acute environmental damage caused by the tobacco industry begins long before its products are consumed and continues long after they are discarded.

Each year, the tobacco industry claims more than 8 million human lives, destroys 600 million trees through deforestation, consumes 200,000 hectares of land, depletes 22 billion tonnes of water, and generates 84 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. The entire lifecycle of tobacco products, from cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, sales and final disposal of end products (cigarettes), has a profound impact on both the environment and public health.

Tobacco farming is primarily concentrated in low-income countries, largely due to the industry’s efforts to cut costs and bypass stringent regulations. To maximise profits, tobacco is typically grown in a monoculture setting, where large quantities of a single crop are cultivated on the same piece of land. To manage the challenges of monoculture, the industry utilises large amounts of toxic chemicals and pesticides, which pose huge risks to farmers and the environment. Annually, between one to five million pesticide poisonings occur, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 11,000 farmers globally. Tobacco farming also contributes to food insecurity as lands that could otherwise have been used to grow food crops essential for human well-being are diverted for tobacco cultivation. Over time, tobacco farming degrades the quality of the soil, reducing its ability to support the growth of nutritious food crops.

Furthermore, tobacco cultivation contributes to water pollution and land degradation.  The heavy use of pesticides and chemicals during tobacco farming contributes to soil degradation while chemical residues from these farms have been detected in nearby waterways. Even after consumption, cigarette butts discarded in water bodies pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. Research has shown that the chemicals leaching from a single cigarette soaked in a litre of water for 24 hours can kill 50% of both saltwater and freshwater fish within 96 hours.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 22 billion tonnes of water are used during tobacco production globally. This is equivalent to the volume of water that flows into the Amazon River (the largest river in the world). Tobacco farming is extremely water-intensive, requiring up to eight times more water than tobacco farming. The lifecycle of a single cigarette, from cultivation to disposal, requires approximately 3.7 litres of water. This is particularly concerning, given that between 2000 and 2017, an estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. As the demand for tobacco products continues to rise, so does the pressure on scarce water resources, exacerbating water scarcity and compromising the health of millions of people. 

The tobacco industry is also a major contributor to carbon emissions. It generates carbon dioxide in several ways, starting with the production of cigarettes. A single stick of cigarette produces up to 14 grams of CO2 throughout its lifecycle from production to disposal. On one hand, the tobacco industry is a major contributor to climate change and deforestation. Annually, it emits up to 80 million tonnes of carbon dioxide during production. Moreover, over 600 million trees are cut down each year to produce cigarettes. This process releases stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. On average, It takes about  one tree to produce 15 packs of cigarettes.”

Ways Forward

Reducing tobacco consumption and production is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The tobacco industry significantly contributes to climate change, exerting negative environmental impacts throughout its lifecycle; from deforestation to greenhouse gas emissions. 

To address this pressing concern, governments and policymakers must act fast. A multi-faceted approach is necessary to curb the environmental harm the industry poses as well as promote sustainable alternatives. 

Some policy recommendations include:

1. Support Farmer Transition: Implement policies to incentivise tobacco farmers to transition to sustainable crops. This includes providing training, technical assistance, and financial support.
2. Impose Strong Tobacco Taxes: Enact robust tobacco taxation policies to reduce consumption and generate revenue for public health programs.
3. Strengthen Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns: Collaborate with civil society organisations to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco production, consumption, and waste disposal.
4. Investment in Research and Development: Funding research into sustainable agriculture and innovative tobacco alternatives can develop more environmentally friendly practices and products.

By adopting these strategies, governments and policymakers can effectively address the climate impact of the tobacco industry, promote public health, and promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.