Tobacco growers want a say

Global policy makers are being urged to involve tobacco growers in the formulation of measures aimed at helping them switch to economically viable alternative crops, according to a story in the Hindu.

Antonio Abrunhosa, of the International Tobacco Growers’ Association, made his call for a more open dialogue while addressing a meeting in the Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh, India, to discuss leaf growers’ concerns over policies affecting their livelihoods.

One such policy concerned the requirement to impose health warnings on tobacco products packaging taking up 85 percent of the two main (back and front) surfaces.

But Abrunhosa was also looking ahead to the seventh Conference of the Parties to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which is due to be held in New Delhi on November 7-12.

He urged policy makers to release the draft proposals in advance of the conference so as to ensure a wider debate on the issues involved, which he noted would have an impact on the livelihoods of 30 million tobacco growers worldwide.