Migori, Kenya — Sixty-four-year-old Petalis Ouma has suffered chronic cough and chest pains. Lately, the chest pain has been worsening. He has never smoked a cigarette but cultivated tobacco for years in his home in Migori, a region in southwestern Kenya where tobacco is one of the primary cash crops. Growing tobacco has a detrimental effect...
Tobacco production is a multi-billion-dollar global industry. Unfortunately, the cultivation of tobacco engages the labour of children in extremely dangerous environments, which has both immediate and long-term consequences for society. Tobacco production and consumption are public health issues with human rights implications. Tobacco is now produced in 125 countries, including Kenya. In a quest to...
Preparations for the opening of the 2022 tobacco marketing season are advanced with prices expected to firm due to anticipated reduced volumes. This year, auction floors will open on March 30 while contract sales will start on March 31. The bulk of the tobacco will be sold through contract floors as 118 465 registered farmers are...
