Govt Defends Tobacco at Global Forum

The Zimbabwean government has taken a strong stance defending the country’s tobacco industry ahead of global anti-tobacco meetings in Geneva. Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka warned that the World Health Organisation’s proposed restrictions threaten millions of farmers and Zimbabwe’s foreign currency earnings. Framing tobacco as central to national development, Masuka said Zimbabwe will push for a “fair and balanced” global policy while pursuing its goal to build a US$7 billion tobacco industry by 2030.