Malawi's Tobacco Children

As the tobacco industry continues to shift its production to developing countries, more vulnerable children are being exposed to hazardous working conditions. It is estimated that over 78,000 children work on tobacco estates across Malawi some up to 12 hours a day, many for less than 1 pence (1.7US cents) an hour and without protective clothing.

The Plan report 'Hard work, Little pay and Long Hours' reveals that child labourers, some as young as five, are suffering severe physical symptoms from absorbing up to 54 milligrams a day of dissolved nicotine through their skin - the equivalent of 50 average cigarettes. Professor Marty Otanez of the University of Colorado has done extensive research into child labour and tobacco farming in Malawi and welcomes Plans research: This is an important issue that the international community and tobacco companies cannot ignore any longer.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Malawi
• tobacco
• farming
• industry
• Plan
• International
• child
• labour
• mortality
• cigarettes
• plantations
• nicotine
• exploitation