Beneficial byproducts of tobacco cited

CANDON, Ilocos Sur , Philippines  – Anti-smoking advocates have been on the warpath against tobacco portraying it as an evil plant but, unknown to many people, several useful products have been reportedly developed and commercialized from the controversial plant.

Tobacco began to be revolutionized in 2001, records of the National Tobacco Administration showed. It was not known if the new tack was made to pre-empt the adverse effects of the anti-smoking lobby to the growing of the plant.

According to NTA Administrator Carlitos Encarnacion, the plant’s evolution as raw material for beneficial products was triggered by the “relentless and persistent” research and development activities of the agency which he said had resulted in the discovery of the new industrial products.

He said that NTA has its hands full making sure its trailblazing efforts do not go to waste so that, in turn, they would benefit the farmers and consumers as well as help boost the national economy.

He identified these pioneering tobacco products as: Tobacco dust which was reportedly discovered as an efficient organic molluscicide cum fish nutrient fertilizer for use in brackish and freshwater fishponds; tobacco virgin pulp for the manufacture of paper; handmade paper and handicrafts; Tobacco extract in natural and decolorized formulations suitable as organic pesticide for mango, vegetables and ornamentals; Ethanol/alcohol; and Pharmaceutical/veterinary products that allegedly include liniments, pediculicide, and animal soap and shampoo.

It was learned that the tobacco agency had established a tobacco dust processing factory in July last year. The plant, located in Sto. Tomas, La Union, has been producing shipments of dust materials, with poor grade tobacco leaves called ‘reject’ and sweepings from tobacco trading centers as raw materials for delivery to fishpond operators in Central Luzon.

The NTA is also set to put up a tobacco pulp processing plant in Santa, Ilocos Sur.

“NTA is in earnest pursuit of these pioneering products to maximize the tobacco industry’s contribution to the country’s economy, being one of its strongest pillars generating more than P30 billion revenue for the government every year and providing income and sustenance to more than two million people that include more than 600 thousand farmers and their families,” NTA corporate planning chief Rex Antonio Teoxon told The Star.

He said that the new tobacco products, when commercialized simultaneously, would generate 11,500 new jobs and an income of P230 million in the initial year of operation which he said would translate to 76,000 jobs and P1.56 billion in income during a four-year period.