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The tobacco industry going green? Are you kidding me? Say what you want about the tobacco industry. But you can’t accuse them of not putting a lot of money towards going green. Billions of dollars go towards environmental programs run by major tobacco companies. But get this… It actually seems to be working (kind of).
Big tobacco is outdoing each other on who can reduce their carbon footprint the most. Who can have the most sustainable tobacco farming program? Who can launch the greenest new tobacco products? Retailers like native smokes 4 less and even mom-and-pop tobacco stores across the country are taking note of the environment. But there’s one aspect of the industry going green that nobody’s talking about.
Here’s what’s really going on behind closed doors… An interesting article about the facts and what’s really going on.
The Hidden Environmental Impact of Tobacco
Here’s something you probably didn’t know… The tobacco industry’s carbon footprint equals one-fifth of the CO2 produced by commercial airlines each year. That’s right. The carbon emissions for this industry are big. But it gets worse…
Tobacco production also affects:
- Deforestation
- Soil erosion
- Freshwater usage
- Fertilizer pollution
- Biodiversity loss
On an annual basis, tobacco farming sucks up millions of gallons of water. The soil in many developing countries has been severely degraded. And the worst offender of all? Cigarette filters. Did you know cigarette filters are the most littered item on the planet? They have over 7,000 toxic chemicals that seep into the environment as they break down.
So here’s the issue: Traditional tobacco farming destroys the environment. Tobacco companies blatantly ignored:
- Deforestation
- Chemical overuse
- Soil erosion
- Water pollution
Scary stuff, isn’t it?
Sustainable Tobacco Farming Programs That Work
Fortunately, over the past decade something changed. Major tobacco companies started creating tobacco farming programs that are genuinely sustainable. The good news is these aren’t smoke-and-mirrors programs designed for public consumption. These are actual, wide-scale programs that are changing how tobacco is grown. British American Tobacco’s Sustainable Tobacco Program (STP), for example, was introduced back in 2016. This global initiative brings together best practice from companies around the world.
Things like:
- Water reduction targets (aiming to reduce by 35% by 2025)
- Commitments to zero deforestation
- Biodiversity protection
- Circular economy programs
The actual programs work! Farmers that implement sustainable practices see higher crop yields and higher income. The programs teach new techniques that are better for the environment. But they also make economic sense.
Farmers who are more profitable stick to the more profitable practices. It’s a simple economic equation. If something makes money, it’s going to stick.
New Product Innovations That Are Green
The tobacco industry is reinventing tobacco products to make them more eco-friendly. This isn’t just about recycling schemes.
Companies are actually making:
- Biodegradable filters using plant fibers like hemp and cotton. These filters degrade in weeks instead of centuries. Some are even working on filters made from food grade materials.
- Sustainable packaging that will be 100% recyclable or compostable by 2025. The big manufacturers have set this ambitious goal. It’s a huge change from the plastic-laden packaging we see on store shelves today.
- Smart vaping devices that utilize rechargeable batteries and refillable cartridges. Eco-friendly vape pens are made with organic ingredients and sustainable materials. The technology is pretty advanced.
Wow. Sounds amazing. But does it make a difference?
The Greenwashing Problem Nobody Talks About
But here’s the problem…
When you look behind the curtain, it turns out some of the “green” initiatives are smoke and mirrors. Critics of the tobacco industry’s environmental efforts claim it’s all a giant case of greenwashing. Tobacco companies trumpet their achievements. But continue harmful practices in the shadows.
They cherry-pick the data that they choose to report. If a goal isn’t met, they simply stop reporting it. There’s no standardized reporting across companies. Each company can report the data they want, the way they want.
For example:
- A company can boast of their reforestation program while turning a blind eye to deforestation taking place elsewhere.
- A tobacco company can report sustainable farming in one country while ravaging the countryside in another.
- Carbon footprint reduction claims can exclude the most carbon-intensive parts of their supply chain.
Genius marketing ploys, really.
Why Tobacco Companies Are Really Going Green
It’s not to save the planet, obviously. It’s for their own survival.
The tobacco industry is coming under pressure from every angle. Regulators, investors, and consumers are all demanding action on the environmental front. By doing environmental programs, tobacco companies get:
- Access to policymakers
- A positive public image
- Investor confidence
- Regulatory benefits
The more tobacco companies can make themselves look like an environmentally conscious company, the more influence they have on policy. Let’s not forget that industry interference in health policy is illegal. Sustainability initiatives create a backdoor.
The Bottom Line on Tobacco Sustainability
So what’s the final verdict?
The tobacco industry’s green initiatives are both real and highly convoluted. Yes, these initiatives are making a positive impact in certain areas. Sustainable tobacco farming programs do have community benefits. New products are being made that create less waste.
Let’s not kid ourselves though…
Environmental sustainability programs do not negate the overall environmental and health impact of tobacco. Tobacco companies use sustainability as a sort of corporate camouflage to hide their less savory business practices.
The facts are in. Tobacco production still has one of the highest environmental footprints of any industry. Green initiatives in the tobacco industry are definitely a positive, but they are by no means a solution to the overall issue.
Making Sense of It All
The tobacco industry going green is part genuine, part strategic, and part self-interested. Environmental improvements are taking place. Tobacco farmers are actually better off due to sustainable programs. Tobacco products are less environmentally damaging. Companies are investing billions in green innovation.
But all of these positive changes also serve the companies’ interests. Sustainability is good for the tobacco companies’ image. It’s something they need if they want to stay in business.
Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater. The green initiatives in the tobacco industry are good for the planet and good for business.
Is that enough? We’ll see.