ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES IN TOBACCO CULTIVATION AND CONSUMPTION
Authors: Bhavya Padmini Ch. , Vijayalakshmi Dr. V. 
Published: June 2024

Global tobacco production reached approximately 7 billion kilograms, with China leading the way at 2.35 billion kilograms. India secured the second position in both tobacco production and exports worldwide. In India, tobacco cultivation covered 0.45 million hectares, accounting for a mere 0.31% of the country's total cultivated area, yet yielding a substantial 750 million kilograms of tobacco. The nation boasts ten distinct tobacco types cultivated across 15 states, encompassing both cigarette varieties (such as FCV, burley, and Oriental) and non-cigarette varieties (like Bidi, Chewing, Hookah, Natu, Cheroot, Cigar, and HDBRG). The nicotine found in tobacco is known for its high level of addictiveness, and the use of tobacco poses a significant risk factor for a wide range of health issues, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, over 20 different types or subtypes of cancer, as well as various other disabling health conditions. Furthermore, there are severe health hazards associated with tobacco use, and tobacco farmers experience a higher prevalence of issues like Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) when compared to non-tobacco farmers and the general population. The WHO estimates that every year, over 3.5 million hectares of land are cleared for the production of tobacco, which mostly occurs in developing countries and contributes to deforestation. Because of the damage caused by tobacco production, the soil is no longer suitable for supporting the growth of other crops or plants. Each year, tobacco use adds 84 megatons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, to the atmosphere. Five crucial stages of the tobacco life cycle can be distinguished: product manufacture, distribution and transportation; product use, including exposure to second- and third-hand smoke; growing and curing; and disposal of waste from post-consumption tobacco products. The cultivation of tobacco has adverse effects on the environment, including agro-biodiversity, water and soil quality, biodiversity, and traditional agricultural practices. Studies, conducted by Kutub et al. (2015), have revealed contamination of both soil and water with toxic pesticides and chemical compounds, resulting in diminished soil fertility and elevated water pollution. Moreover, the tobacco industry is responsible for an estimated annual contribution of 84 megatons of carbon dioxide to greenhouse gas emissions and the annual destruction of approximately 3.5 million hectares of land for tobacco cultivation, as indicated by research like Hammerich et al. (2020). Farmers demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding the adverse consequences of tobacco cultivation on soil fertility, the environment, and even their own health. Their level of education also reflected their limited knowledge in this regard. In terms of soil effects, tobacco cultivation significantly depletes soil nutrients, necessitating frequent applications of chemical fertilizers and increased pesticide use. The repeated use of these inputs has detrimental effects on the cultivation of other crops, potentially endangering farm workers, leading to chronic health issues, and negatively impacting the environment, as documented by Karima et al. in 2016. Health problems associated with tobacco cultivation: Nicotine poisoning, commonly known as Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS), can result from touching tobacco leaves and expose oneself to nicotine. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting. When nicotine from tobacco leaves combines with sweat, dew, or rain, it becomes more likely to seep into the skin and bloodstream, increasing the risk of nicotine poisoning (Saleeon et al., 2016). Workers are at risk of inhaling dust from dried tobacco leaves during the curing process, which can concentrate nicotine and other potentially harmful chemical substances. This exposure poses a threat to the respiratory system, particularly when workers do not use personal protective equipment. Respiratory exposure can also occur during activities such as stacking and tying leaves, loading them for transportation, and when handling chemicals during mixing and spraying, as observed in the study by Saude et al. in 2012. The tobacco farmers experienced higher proportion of sever health hazards, illnesses like CVD ( Cardio Vascular Disorders) and respiratory issues caused them higher share of out of pocket expenditures as compared to non-tobacco farmers and general population (Shahzad et al., 2021). Health issues related to consumption of tobacco- Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing several systemic conditions including cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Cigarette smoking was also detrimental to oral health (Ramoa et a.l, 2017). Evidence was found about smoking associated with lower BMD (bone mineral density), increased risk for fracture, periodontitis, alveolar bone loss, implant failure, increased joint disease, poor functional outcomes and poor therapeutic response (AL-Bashaireh et al., 2018). SLT (Smokeless Tobacco) consumption was related with several health issues such as oral cancers, cardiovascular diseases, low birth weight and mental illnesses. Most of the research studies were conducted in different countries like Brazil, Thailand, India, China, Turkey and Bangladesh. The world health organization reported about the tobacco cultivation and consumption effects on environment and health. Very old research studies were found on consumption of chewing tobacco type compared with smoking type tobacco. Tobacco cultivation and consumption pollute the air, water and soil which will cause the environmental degradation. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases were the leading causes of death by tobacco consumption. The musculoskeletal disorders, green tobacco sickness, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, skin diseases and respiratory problems were identified in tobacco cultivation. From collected reviews, many researchers suggested that while working in tobacco field, usage of personal protective equipment kit reduces the health issues among field workers. But, no one had designed the personal protective equipment kit for tobacco field workers.