Tobacco is produced in Africa by small scale growers and commercial farmers and the sustainability of tobacco production in these farming systems is discussed. The author will refer to tobacco production factors that improve farming productivity and profitability, the development and implementation of training programmes for small scale farmers and leaf technicians, the implementation of minimum standards and best practices in small scale production programmes, the optimisation of land use and food with tobacco programmes for small scale growers and the harmonisation of tobacco farming with environmental issues.