Health and development experts are calling increased attention to the importance of supporting tobacco farmers in shifting toward economically viable and sustainable crop options, framing this as a key component of broader tobacco control and rural development strategies.
The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), through its Articles 17 and 18, encourages countries to promote alternatives to tobacco growing while safeguarding the health of those involved and protecting the environment. Article 17 calls for the provision of support for economically viable alternative activities for tobacco growers, workers and sellers, and Article 18 highlights environmental protection and health considerations related to tobacco cultivation.
Despite the global importance of this agenda, a recent 2025 WHO FCTC Global Progress Report shows that only a minority of reporting countries have made significant progress in implementing measures that help tobacco growers transition to alternative crops or livelihoods. In many regions, tobacco production persists even as global demand declines, and support for diversification remains limited.
Proponents of diversified farming point to sustainable crop alternatives — including staple and high-value food crops — which can improve farmers’ incomes and reduce dependence on tobacco contracts that often trap growers in debt and expose them to health risks such as pesticide poisoning and nicotine absorption.
Programmes like the Tobacco-Free Farms initiative, supported by WHO and partner UN agencies, have helped farmers in countries such as Kenya and Zambia to shift production to alternative crops by providing credit mechanisms, agricultural training and market linkages. Such initiatives aim to create a more stable and profitable agricultural ecosystem and address food security alongside health concerns.
Public health and agricultural development stakeholders emphasize that shifting away from tobacco farming is not only a matter of changing crops but also requires supportive public policies, financial assistance, market access and technical guidance. Comprehensive policy recommendations outline strategies for diversification, capacity building, and integration into rural development frameworks.
The conversation around tobacco control is increasingly recognizing that reducing tobacco supply — by expanding viable livelihood options — must go hand-in-hand with efforts to reduce tobacco demand, if national and global health goals are to be met.
The full article can be accessed here https://extranet.who.int/fctcapps/fctcapps/fctc/kh/alternativelivelihoods/e-library/replacing-tobacco-alternative-crops-sustainable