BACKGROUND: Brazil ranks third globally in tobacco production and is the leading exporter of unprocessed tobacco leaves. Currently, over 95% of the country's tobacco leaf production is concentrated in three southern states. Among Brazil’s commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) are Articles 17 and 18, which focus on promoting alternative livelihoods for tobacco workers, protecting their health, and ensuring environmental protection. However, tobacco companies have adopted various strategies to maintain control over farmers and influence policymakers, obstructing the implementation of these commitments. This study examines how the tobacco industry shapes the socioeconomic dynamics of tobacco farming in southern Brazil.
METHODS: The study analyzes official tobacco production data, legislation, tobacco company websites, academic research, and media reports published between 2016 and 2024, with a focus on Brazil's southern states. It examines the Integrated Tobacco Production System, which creates a dependency of farmers on companies; the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives; and the industry's influence on judicial decisions, labor unions, and media narratives.
RESULTS: The findings reveal that tobacco companies maintain farmers' dependence through contractual obligations, technical assistance, and control over pricing. The industry’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, such as environmental education and anti-child labor initiatives, serve as greenwashing tactics to improve its public image. Additionally, the industry influences judicial outcomes, weakens labor unions, and strategically uses the media to shape public perception and promote favorable views of tobacco cultivation.
CONCLUSIONS: The tobacco industry's influence in southern Brazil can hinder the implementation of WHO FCTC Articles 17 and 18. To reduce farmers' dependence on tobacco, protect their health and the environment, and promote sustainable alternatives, policymakers must strengthen regulatory frameworks and safeguard public policies from industry interference.