The impacts on the economy, health, and environment resulting from tobacco cultivation: A cross-sectional survey of tobacco farmer perspectives in Thailand
Introduction Tobacco cultivation is associated with financial instability, health risks, and environmental degradation. While Thailand has made progress in tobacco control, challenges remain in supporting farmers with sustainable alternatives. This study examined the perceived economic, health, and...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
European Publishing
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Tobacco Induced Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/The-impacts-on-the-economy-health-and-environment-resulting-from-tobacco-cultivation,204301,0,2.html |
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| Summary: | Introduction
Tobacco cultivation is associated with financial instability, health risks,
and environmental degradation. While Thailand has made progress in tobacco
control, challenges remain in supporting farmers with sustainable alternatives.
This study examined the perceived economic, health, and environmental impacts
of tobacco cultivation among Thai tobacco farmers.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2021 to January
2022 in Chiang Mai, Phrae, and Sukhothai, the major tobacco-growing provinces
in Thailand. A total of 1505 tobacco farmers completed self-administered
questionnaires. The instrument measured perceived impacts on a 3-point Likert
scale (low to high). Frequencies and proportions for descriptive statistics are
reported along with adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for logistic
regression models.
Results
Economic impacts were most frequently reported (43.7%), particularly
increased debt (47.6%) and income loss (43.5%). Health impacts (31.6%) included
symptoms of Green Tobacco Sickness (47.2%) and reduced work capacity (29.9%).
Environmental concerns (14.4%) included pesticide contamination (10.8%) and
degradation of soil and water resources (10.6%). Higher economic impact was
associated with cultivating Virginia tobacco (AOR=6.51; 95% CI: 4.90–8.63),
higher level of education (AOR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.01–1.92), contract farming
(AOR=1.27; 95% CI: 0.99–1.63), and farming experience (AOR=1.00; 95% CI:
0.99–1.01). Health impact was associated with age (AOR=1.04; 95% CI: 1.03–
1.05), land rental (AOR=0.75; 95% CI: 0.58–0.98), female gender (AOR=0.74;
95% CI: 0.58–0.94), and Virginia cultivation (AOR=0.32; 95% CI: 0.23–0.44).
Environmental impact was linked to labor hiring (AOR=2.68; 95% CI: 1.41–5.07)
and land rental (AOR=0.56; 95% CI: 0.39–0.79).
Conclusions
Thai tobacco farmers face significant economic, health, and
environmental burdens. Policy interventions should promote sustainable
alternatives to mitigate these impacts. |
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| ISSN: | 1617-9625 |