Surreal image of tobacco field with smoke forming a face, symbolizing smoking risks in tobacco farming.

Uncovering the Risks: Why Tobacco Farming Can Increase Smoking Rates

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Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals the surprising link between tobacco farming and higher smoking prevalence, particularly among men in Southern Brazil."


While Brazil is globally recognized for its successful National Program for Tobacco Control, it faces a paradox: it is also a leading tobacco producer and exporter. This situation highlights the complex relationship between public health efforts and economic realities.

Tobacco use remains a critical public health challenge worldwide, contributing to millions of preventable deaths and significant economic burdens annually. Although global initiatives and national programs have shown some success in reducing smoking rates, considerable disparities persist across different populations and occupations.

A recent study focusing on tobacco farmers in Southern Brazil sheds light on an unexpected trend: those involved in tobacco cultivation exhibit higher smoking rates compared to other agricultural workers and the general population. This finding underscores the need to understand the unique factors driving tobacco use within this specific occupational group.

The Unexpected Link: Tobacco Farming and Smoking Prevalence

Surreal image of tobacco field with smoke forming a face, symbolizing smoking risks in tobacco farming.

A study conducted in São Lourenço do Sul, a municipality in Southern Brazil with a strong tradition of tobacco farming, revealed alarming rates of smoking among male tobacco farmers. The research, which involved a cross-sectional survey of 2,464 farmers, found that 31.2% of men were current smokers, significantly higher than the national average for rural areas. In contrast, only 3.1% of women in the study reported being current smokers.

These statistics raise critical questions about the factors that make tobacco farmers more susceptible to smoking. Researchers delved deeper to identify specific associations between smoking and various socioeconomic, behavioral, and occupational variables. The results revealed a complex interplay of factors that contribute to this elevated risk.

  • Age: Older farmers were more likely to smoke, suggesting either a long-term habit or a later adoption of smoking.
  • Education and Income: Lower levels of education and income were associated with higher smoking rates, aligning with global trends linking socioeconomic disadvantage to tobacco use.
  • Heavy Alcohol Consumption: Men who consumed alcohol heavily were significantly more likely to smoke, highlighting the synergistic relationship between these two risky behaviors.
  • Time in Tobacco Farming: The longer an individual worked in tobacco farming, the higher their likelihood of being a smoker, indicating a potential occupational influence.
  • Pesticide Exposure: Prolonged exposure to pesticides was also linked to increased smoking rates, possibly due to stress or other factors associated with this occupational hazard.
  • Employment Relationship: Those in an employment relationship were at a greater risk for tabagism.
Interestingly, participation in religious activities was found to be a protective factor, suggesting that social support and community engagement may help buffer against the risks of smoking. Conversely, those with employment arrangements were at greater risk of tabagism. The study also found that while longer hours did not increase the risk of smoking, intense, strenuous months did decrease risk. Male tobacco farmers presented multiple risk behaviors.

Addressing the Challenge: A Call for Integrated Approaches

The study's findings underscore the urgent need for integrated interventions that address the multiple risk factors contributing to smoking among tobacco farmers. Traditional tobacco control measures may need to be adapted to account for the unique occupational and cultural context of this population. Interventions should consider the risk, and cultural inheritance, which may contribute to these behaviors, and call for joint approaches. By addressing these underlying issues, public health initiatives can more effectively reduce smoking rates and improve the overall health and well-being of tobacco farming communities.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/0102-311x00123115, Alternate LINK

Title: Prevalência E Fatores Associados Ao Tabagismo Em Fumicultores Do Sul Do Brasil

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Cadernos de Saúde Pública

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Nadia Spada Fiori, Neice Muller Xavier Faria, Rodrigo Dalke Meucci, Anaclaudia Gastal Fassa

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the National Program for Tobacco Control and why is it significant?

The National Program for Tobacco Control is Brazil's initiative designed to reduce tobacco use through various strategies, such as public awareness campaigns, taxation, and regulations on tobacco sales and advertising. It's significant because it reflects Brazil's commitment to addressing the public health challenges associated with smoking. However, its impact is limited in tobacco-farming communities where smoking rates are high.

2

What did the study in São Lourenço do Sul reveal about smoking rates among tobacco farmers?

The study in São Lourenço do Sul found that male tobacco farmers had a significantly higher smoking rate (31.2%) compared to the national average for rural areas. This is important because it highlights a disparity, indicating that tobacco farming may increase smoking rates among men. Factors include age, lower education and income, heavy alcohol consumption, time in tobacco farming, and pesticide exposure.

3

What are the main factors that make tobacco farmers more likely to smoke?

Several factors contribute to the increased likelihood of smoking among tobacco farmers. These include: Older age, lower education and income levels, heavy alcohol consumption, longer duration of time in tobacco farming, and prolonged exposure to pesticides. The interplay of these socioeconomic, behavioral, and occupational variables creates a complex situation where tobacco farmers are more susceptible to smoking. Additionally, employment relationship was seen to increase risk.

4

Why is pesticide exposure a significant factor in the smoking habits of tobacco farmers?

Pesticide exposure is linked to increased smoking rates among tobacco farmers possibly due to increased stress and other factors associated with this occupational hazard. The prolonged exposure is detrimental to health and might trigger coping mechanisms such as smoking, exacerbating the already high smoking rates. This highlights the need for safety measures and support systems for farmers.

5

Why are integrated interventions needed to address smoking among tobacco farmers?

Integrated interventions are crucial because they address the multiple risk factors contributing to smoking among tobacco farmers, such as age, socioeconomic status, alcohol consumption, and pesticide exposure. It suggests adapting tobacco control measures to the cultural context of tobacco farming communities. Addressing underlying issues and considering cultural inheritance are crucial for effectively reducing smoking rates and improving the health of these communities.

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