Tobacco firm moves raise efficiency to improve efficiency

Morogoro. Alliance One Tobacco (T) Ltd, is implementing three projects that seek to improve its processing operations that include processing capacity through a new cigarettes processing line to improve the capacity from the current 35,000 tonnes to 60,000.

Other projects include the introduction of computerised system of loading and receiving of tobacco aimed at reducing handling time and green leaf storage at the factory and introduction of stacking racks.

A statement issued over the weekend by the company when announcing the appointment of a new managing director, Mr Mark Mason, who replaces Mr Graham Kayes, who has been appointed regional director for Alliance One Africa.

Expounding, Mr Mason said the value of the new investments this year is $10 million, bringing the total value of the company to approximately $50 million. He said other projects include installation of optical sorters which remove non tobbaco related materials, conversion of boiler from oil usage to natural gas and installation of AC variable speed drives in motors to reduce power consumption.

He noted that the future for the Tanzanian tobacco industry is strong as long as it remains competitive and continue to improve the welfare of the farmers.

“We appreciate the support the government was giving the industry and believe that we have a major role to play in poverty alleviation whilst remaining focused on health, education and environmental issues,” he said.

However, he said that they have been facing various challenges which include global oversupply situation resulting from increased worldwide production, reduced consumption due to global economic recession, smoking restrictions and bans, increased taxation on tobacco products and tobacco products regulation.

He named the other challenge as reduction in production by 20 per cent due to power problems which causes a loss of $4,000 every hour. He said due to power shortage they are forced to work four days a week instead of six.

Nine interesting facts about electronic cigarettes

1.An electronic cigarette doesn’t contain tobacco. Instead, it’s a plastic device which is activated by the user inhaling. The device then injects tiny drops of nicotine into the flowing air, causing them to vaporise. The device also adds propylene glycol, a moisturizer that’s often found in toothpastes and mouthwashes. This helps create a simulation of the smoke from a traditional cigarette, making it feel much more like real smoking.

2.Electronic cigarettes are not proven to help people give up smoking and aren’t marketed for this purpose. However, manufacturers can produce a range of electronic cigarettes with varying levels of nicotine. This means people trying to cut down on a nicotine addiction can gradually reduce the levels they consume without being held back by the habit of ‘lighting up’ a certain number of times each day.

3.single electronic cigarette can last practically forever as the nicotine solution comes in a disposable cartridge (which usually last for several hundred drags). The mechanism is powered by a rechargeable battery, which also powers an orange LED at the tip to simulate a real burning cigarette.

4.An electronic cigarette doesn’t produce any smell, and the ‘smoke’ it produces is harmless vapour (besides the nicotine the smoker inhales) and doesn’t irritate the eyes. This means a smoker using the device can take part in normal social activities without engendering or irritating other people. There’s also no unpleasant waste from cigarette butts.

5.Electronic cigarettes are available in traditional tobacco flavour, but also in menthol and apple versions.

6.Smokers in the United Kingdom have used the device to get round bans on smoking in enclosed public places. The famous Chinawhite nightclub in Soho allowed its guests to use an electronic cigarette rather than go out on to the street for a traditional smoke.

7.The Daily Mail tested the device in 2007 on bar-goers in Notting Hill. One woman said “I miss not being able to drink and smoke on a night out. This is a good solution. It's elegant and easy to hold and it doesn't make your hands smell like a cigarette does.” And her male companion added “I think it could become popular. Smokers would do anything to have a cigarette at a table rather than go outside.” The pair later shot to ‘fame’ as Big Brother contestants Rex Newmark & Nicole Cammack!

8.Using an electronic cigarette can be considerably cheaper than smoking the real thing. A single cartridge gives roughly the same amount of ‘smoking’ as a standard packet of cigarettes but can be as much as six times less expensive. That’s partly because you don’t have to pay for all the tar, tobacco and paper which you normally buy and then literally send up in smoke!

9.While containing fewer harmful substances, the nicotine content of electronic cigarettes means they are not sold to children. It’s also recommended that pregnant women do not use the device, and that anyone with health concerns checks with a doctor first.