An investigative journalism perspective on tobacco control in Tanzania

Abstract

Background and challenges to implementation: The presentation is based on a investigative journalism study conducted in two districts, Urambo and Kaliua in Tabora region. The main goal of the study was to establish the reality about how tobacco farming contributing to deforestation and increased poverty to tobacco farmers, and propose better ways to control tobacco and its products. Intervention or response: Tobacco farming regions in Tanzania were mostly affected by deforestation, while its population remained poor for the decades. This presentation is based on a investigative journalism study conducted in two districts, Urambo and Kaliua in Tabora region. The main goal of the study was to establish the reality about how tobacco farming contributing to deforestation and increased poverty to tobacco farmers, and propose better ways to control tobacco and its products. Results and lessons learnt: Overall this study found a larger tree cutting for curing tobacco and preparation for the tobacco farms. For example, in 2015/16 a total of 18,285 acres in Urambo district, Tabora region were used for tobacco farming, attracting 182,850 cubic meters of firewood in curing tobacco. This is equivalent to cut trees at the area of between 8,296 and 12,190 acres per year. However, effect linked to tobacco farming was drainage of waters sources which feed Igombe River and others pass through Maragalasi-Kigosi - Moyowosi Game Reserve to Lake Tanganyika which is the second oldest fresh water and second deepest lake in the world. Poverty: Tobacco farmers live in an extremely poverty as the value chain not on their side, favors tobacco companies. Conclusions and key recommendations: 1. Great need to fast truck the tobacco policy and national law. 2. Partners should team up, facilitate/support the current/new Income Generating Activities (IGAs) and improvement of alternative crops to attract more farmers to shift from tobacco farming. 3. Media advocacy and campaign on tobacco control should be of on- going perspective.