Tobacco Control in Africa - TCA

Zimbabwe: News about the tobacco growing situation

From The Herald, an official point of view that points to some problems.

Zimbabwe: Mugabe’s Seized Farms Boost British American Tobacco Profits in Zimbabwe

A well researched investigation by Brian Latham for Bloomberg News.

Source: Bloomberg

Zimbabwe: tobacco122 million kgs sold

Tobacco sales in Zimbabwe have been higher than anticipated. Tobacco sales account for more than 50% of agricultural exports. The english version of the AFP dispatch does not mention, contrary to the French version that in 2000 (the last year before Mugabe's land reforms) tobacco sales were at 236.000 tons.

Zimbabwe: production de tabac en 2010, 104 millions de kgs

Afrique en ligne note que la production est fortement en hausse par rapport aux années précédentes.

2010. Who is going to monitor what's happening in tobacco control in Africa?

2010 just started.  Who is going to monitor what's happening in tobacco control in Africa? Who is going to keep asking for more information and transparency from the organizations and people who distribute and receive millions to promote this cause? Until now they have chosen to operate silently and secretly without providing any regular and substantial account of their activities (see our upcoming review of their very limited reporting on line). 
TCA is convinced that the requirements for transparency and accountability will sometimes become the norm but it will take many more people protesting and asking for those very basic and fundamental principles to be adopted and implemented.
As for now, the more it changes, the more the it remains the same.
Good luck and best wishes for a happy new year to all who share those ideals. 

Zimbabwe: tobacco firm sponsors soccer team

Ellina Mhlanga details how the team of Monomotapa has received US$50K from the local tobacco company Blend Value. She writes: "Blend Value Tobacco are the manufacturers of the Oya! brand, which they want to dominate the domestic market, and they have already announced that this is just the start of their big partnership with Zimbabwean football."

Source: AllAfrica

Zimbabwe: people smoke their problems away, says the CEO of fast growing Savanna Tobacco company

From this article in the Harare's Financial Gazette via AllAfrica.com.

Zimbabwe: Savanna Tobacco will continue to sponsor domestic football

The sponsorship that started in early 2008 (see below) will be maintained despite inflation:

"At the beginning of the year, Savanna pegged its sponsorship at $1 trillion. This has however, been eroded by hyper-inflation, meaning that currently the figure does not buy a loaf of bread.
But at a function at the company's production factory on Wednesday, the company's chairman Adam Molai told reporters that the sponsorship package will be reviewed to match the current monetary value.

Source: All Africa

Zimbabwe: Tobacco Farms in Ruins

Eight years after controversial land seizures, the country’s once-thriving industry continues to decline.
Source: Institute for War & Peace Reporting