Think tank warns farmers vs constant tobacco exposure

MANILA, Philippines — Constant exposure to tobacco leaves puts farmers at risk of green tobacco sickness (GTS), a health think tank warned yesterday.

Citing estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), the HealthJustice Philippines said tobacco farmers absorb nicotine levels equivalent to 50 cigarettes a day.

“These health harms from the production of tobacco seriously put at stake the health and welfare of tobacco farmers, their families and communities. The pervasiveness of the health harms of tobacco from production to consumption should prompt the government to reverse its policy allowing and supporting tobacco production,” HealthJustice board member Jaime Galvez-Tan said.

Tan, former chief of the Department of Health, said symptoms of GTS including nausea and vomiting could manifest several hours after exposure to tobacco plants.

He said that GTS is a form of poisoning obtained from directly handling tobacco leaves, making farmers or workers more vulnerable to dehydration and heat illnesses such as heat rash, cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke while working under hot and humid conditions.

Although the GTS symptoms fade within 24 hours, Tan said no study has been undertaken to uncover its long-term effects on farmers.

The HealthJustice called for a shift from tobacco farming to food or crop production to protect the health of the farmers.