Tobacco industry targeting Sri Lankan non-tobacco-growing farmers in corporate social investments
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1
Centre for Combating Tobacco, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
2
Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC), Sri Lanka
3
Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Public Health, Sri Lanka
4
Tobacco Control Research Group, University of Bath, United Kingdom
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2018;16(Suppl 1):A666
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ABSTRACT
Background:
Sustainable Agriculture
Development Project (SADP) is the main Corporate Social Investment (CSI)
activity of the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC), the subsidiary of British
American Tobacco holding cigarette manufacturing monopoly in Sri Lanka. In its
initiation in 2006, its target group was tobacco farmers. By 2017, its
beneficiaries included farmers other than tobacco growers. This study aimed to
explore the process of tobacco industry increasing its coverage towards
non-tobacco growers and its apparent benefits to the industry.
Methods:
A qualitative study design was used. Data were
collected using document analysis (reports and presentations of CTC and CSI partners
and media reports) and key informant (N=18) interviews (CTC CSI officers, field
workers of government and non-government organisations, community leaders and
beneficiaries of SADP programme). Documents from 2006 onwards were identified
electronically and manually from databases, electronic archives and libraries.
Search terms used were identified using an expert panel. Data were analysed
using thematic analysis.
Results:
By 2017 four variations
of SADP existed, all targeting non-tobacco growing farmers. Activities mainly included
home gardening and infrastructure development in rural communities. A variation
(SADP Lite) incorporated ex-libertarian combatants as part of their rehabilitation
process by the government. Activities engaged ministers, government officials,
field workers and community leaders. Key informants' perceptions included; CTC
functions beyond the stigmatized image of a 'tobacco company' by expansion to
different activities and themes; non-tobacco-growing farmers indirectly
motivated to strengthen links with CTC by starting tobacco cultivation, activities
are portrayed as government initiatives by incorporating government ministers,
officials and field workers, and, most activities are portrayed as solutions
for negative effects of tobacco cultivation (home-gardening, alternative crops
and agro wells) and tobacco use (nutrition and rural economy).
Conclusions:
CTC uses SADP to promote their image, improve
their stake in the economy and motivate farmers to grow tobacco