Last year Channel 4's Unreported World investigated the tobacco industry in Malawi and found harrowing news. Children as young as six are being forced to work in the tobacco fields for as little as £18 a year, the price of three packs of cigarettes. Farm owners keep the wages extremely low so that families are forced to accept loans to live on the land. High interest rates and low wages tie the families to the tobacco fields meaning that child and forced labour are happening in Malawi. We cannot just blame the farm owners; a lack of minimum prices means big companies such as Marlboro cash out very little money for tobacco leaves. If the multi-national companies were to pay more for their products and commit to Fairtrade then slavery in the Malawi tobacco fields may cease.
Now, an ethically sourced cigarette has been launched in the UK. A small company called 1st Nation aims to help tobacco farmers in the same way that Fairtrade coffee helps coffee farmers. For every tonne of tobacco purchased at market prices 1st Nation makes a voluntary donation to an indepent local organisation that invests in agricultural projects. Despite the desire of the Fairtrade Foundation to help, 1st Nation has not received accreditation due to the sensitivity of the issue. Yes, smoking is bad for your health. Despite health warnings many students continue to smoke. It is important for people to know where their tobacco comes from and that there is an ethical alternative.
Jess Goodwin, Bristol University
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