Tobacco growing burdens farmers with health issues unique to tobacco growing, such as green tobacco sickness, and increasing household healthcare costs -World Health Organization WPI Reports

Wellness Pilipinas International News and Media Network on WHO Tobacco Report 

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• Green tobacco sickness. As many as 1 in 4 tobacco farmers are affected by green tobacco sickness and nicotine poisoning. The disease is caused by nicotine absorbed through the skin from the handling of tobacco leaves. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, increased perspiration, chills, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness, breathlessness and more. 
• Exposure to heavy chemicals and nicotine. Tobacco farmers are exposed daily to tobacco dust and other chemical pesticides. A tobacco farmer who plants, cultivates and harvests tobacco may absorb nicotine equivalent to 50 cigarettes daily. Additionally, tobacco farmers often carry harmful substances home on their bodies, clothes or shoes, leading to secondary harmful exposures for their families, especially children.
• Chronic lung conditions. Tobacco farmers also inhale large amounts of tobacco smoke during the curing process, which increases the risk of chronic lung conditions and other health challenges.
• Vulnerable populations are especially at risk. Women and children are often the primary tobacco labourers. They are therefore more exposed to the health risks of handling green tobacco leaves and heavy chemicals as well as exposure to tobacco smoke during the curing process.