Risky Business: Malawi's Youth and Tobacco

In the past decade, Malawi has become one of the worlds five largest tobacco producers. (Aljazeera) As a result of Malawi’s high-nicotine, low-cost tobacco, many major cigarette brands are including Malawian tobacco in their blend. More than 90% of Malawi’s tobacco is bought by U.S.-based leaf buyers Universal Corporation and Alliance One International. These companies resell to tobacco firms, amongst these firms are such big names as Phillip Morris (Marlboro) and British American Tobacco (Lucky Strike) (The Guardian). Malawian tobacco can be found in the blend of nearly every cigarette smoked in the west. 

At first glance the industry may seem good for Malawi, being that it is one of the least developed nations in the world, ranking 153 of 169 countries in the human development index. (Aljazeera) Unfortunately, however, the tobacco industry has done little to improve the situation for Malawians and much to improve the payout for the large western companies that purchase the incredibly cheap “green gold”. The price of this tobacco is kept low for big business in a multitude of ways. There are low tariffs on unmanufactured tobacco imports and a low labor cost. The labor cost is often kept so low by employing child laborers.  

Photo: The Guardian

Though the minimum age to work in Malawi is officially 14, it is common to see children as young as five picking tobacco alongside their parents. It is estimated that 20% of children aged 5-14 in Malawi are working. (Bureau of International Labor Affairs) Many of these children drop out of school to work in tobacco farms and other industry and are unable to return to school or only able to attend school sporadically. Child laborers are especially susceptible to work-related injury and illness. When working with tobacco, large amounts of nicotine can be absorbed through the skin causing nicotine poisoning, an incredibly common ailment amongst child tobacco workers. Large tobacco industries claim not to support farms that employ child laborers, but often do little to actually prevent child labor. In addition, the legal framework to prevent child labor in Malawi is weak. 

The most effective method thus far for preventing child labor is pressure on the companies that purchase the tobacco, in turn putting pressure on the government as well as farms. Other groups suggest improving the school system to attract children and families to enroll and stay in school. This is problematic, however, since many families need the children to work in order to support the family. An improved education, though valuable, would not immediately help support the family. The main groups making headway within the farming system and the government are small NGO’s and other grassroots programs that support both the children and the family. Still, with tobacco sales comprising 70% of Malawi’s income and Malawi being one of the most child labor-intensive economies in the world, it is unlikely much will change as long as companies can keep the tobacco cheap.

This blog was written by Zoey Ponder