September 23, 2011 - In Malawi and beyond, child workers as young as five are being exposed to the toxic dangers of tobacco harvesting. Many of Malawi’s estimated 80,000 child tobacco workers suffer from a disease called green tobacco sickness, or nicotine poisoning. Symptoms include severe headaches, abdominal cramps, muscle weakness, breathing difficulties, diarrhea, vomiting, high blood pressure, and fluctuations in heart rate, according to the World Health Organization. Since the handling of leaves is done largely without protective clothing, workers absorb up to 54 milligrams of dissolved nicotine daily through their skin, equal to the amount of 50 cigarettes. Although smokers are constantly reminded of the associated health risks, most are oblivious to the reality that their toxic habit is slowly killing the underage children involved in the production process. Children are also financially exploited, receiving an average of only $0.25 for long hours of unrelenting work. At the heart of the problem is Malawi’s poor economic situation, which causes some parents to involve their children in economic activities to provide food for the family. More than 90% of Malawi’s tobacco is bought by U.S.-based leaf buyers and sold to big tobacco companies in the west.

For more information, please visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/sep/14/malawi-child-labour-tobacco-industry