Tobacco production remains a significant agricultural activity worldwide, with major producers including China, India, Brazil, the United States, and Indonesia—China alone accounts for over 40% of global output. While it provides economic benefits, especially in low-income countries like Malawi and Zimbabwe, where it serves as a key export crop, the industry faces increasing scrutiny due to its health, environmental, and labor-related impacts. The cultivation process is labor-intensive and often associated with child labor and environmental degradation such as deforestation and pesticide overuse. As global smoking rates decline and regulations tighten, the tobacco industry is shifting toward emerging markets and alternative nicotine products. Efforts like the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) aim to reduce dependency on tobacco by encouraging sustainable farming and promoting alternative livelihoods.
