Types of tobacco flowers

There are several different types of tobacco flowers and they are mainly grown for two different purposes. The tobacco flower that is grown to make tobacco is usually called tobacco plant and it consists of wide oval shaped leaves which contain nicotine. There are also tobacco flowers which you can have at home as ornamental flowers and these are called flowering tobacco.

Tobacco flower for making tobacco

The tobacco flower used for tobacco production is usually grown by suppliers on large tobacco plantations. There are several different types of tobacco flowers grown for tobacco products, of which some of the most common types are Virginia tobacco and Burley tobacco (Nicotiana rustica). The leaves from the plants are harvested and then hung to dry in barns. Once the leaves have dried, they are crushed into fine tobacco and used in various tobacco products such as cigarettes, snuff and IQOS heatsticks.

Safe tobacco plantations with good working conditions

Tobacco farming has for a long time been an industry with poverty, child labor and health problems due to nicotine and pesticides. At Philip Morris, we have developed a number of sustainability goals with different strategies and efforts to enable our tobacco suppliers to ensure good working conditions for their employees and a safe workplace where they do not have to risk their health.

Zero child labor in our tobacco supply chain by 2025

The respect for human rights is central in our work and most of all we fight to eliminate child labor. Our goal is for child labor to be completely eliminated by 2025. As a step towards this, we have established our ALP program (Agricultural Labor Practices). This system can identify risks and incidents with child labor which enables us to take action immediately. We demand high standards from our tobacco suppliers and we will terminate collaborations if it is necessary. Field technicians from Philip Morris or our suppliers are monitoring the plantations where the tobacco is grown to make sure that the ALP program is followed and that there is no child labor or human trafficking. They also ensure the workplace is safe for all employees.

Philip Morris works for a better environment

As a step towards a better environment and a more sustainable world, we are constantly committed to improving our entire tobacco supply chain. Among other things, we have implemented initiatives to reduce water consumption by sustainable water management at our suppliers’ plantations where the tobacco flowers are grown. We always strive to use sustainable and traceable raw materials in all our products.