Tobacco companies have found
an easy way to increase profits by
turning to developing countries
for labor.
Although tobacco is considered a cash
crop, farmers often become trapped in a cycle
of poverty and debt after signing contracts with
the tobacco industry. Many farmers must
purchase high cost equipment and pesticides
in order to care for their crops, leaving them
with little profit left over. As a result, these
farmers rely on their children to work in the
fields because they are unable to hire help.
As tobacco farmers struggle to provide
for their families, members of Big Tobacco are
prospering. In 2010, the top six tobacco
companies made $35 billion dollars in profit. In
the same year, the CEOs of these companies
brought home as much as $24 million dollars.
To find out more about Big Tobacco in
Tobacco is mostly grown in low and middle income countries,
where malnutrition is a problem. Tobacco crops take up
precious land that could be used to plant much needed food.
Made possible by Tobacco Settlement Revenue Funds administered by
the Orange County Health Care Agency Tobacco Use Prevention Program
developing countries visit newlung.org.
American Cancer Society and The World Lung Foundation (2010)
World Health Organization (2003 and 2004)