Tobacco Control Commission – TCC has asked tobacco farmers in the country to shun selling their products to illicit vendors.

TCC’s Executive Director Kaisi Sadala made the call as the country anticipates the opening of the 2018/2019 tobacco marketing season.

Speaking to YFM, Sadala re- emphasized the need for tobacco farmers to sell their leaf at the auction floors saying this will help them fetch good prices.

“There are legal and illegal tobacco buyers in the country, but what we can advise our farmer is to make sure they are selling their tobacco at a licensed market because that is where they can get better prices unlike selling to illegal buyers who might just exploit them,” Sadala said.

The TCC boss has however expressed positivity that this year’s tobacco marketing season will yield the country better results.

“We are looking forward to a better marketing season just as it was last year, what is important is for the farmers to take care of their crop so that it has good quality to attract good price on the market.

This year’s tobacco auction is expect to officially opened on 9th April in Lilongwe, whereas at Chinkhoma in Kasungu on April 11, while in Blantyre on April 16 and finally in Mzuzu on April 23.