The Ban for Cigarette Ad in Indonesia on The Brink of Being Effective

The Minister for Health Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih is optimistic that the draft government ordinance on cigarettes will be effective. The draft, among which, mentions a ban on cigarette advertisements.

"I'm optimistic," said the minister after a discussion themed "Should Govt. Invervene in Preparing Private Hospitals to Compete in the Global and Liberal Era?" which was held by the Indonesian Private Hospital Association, at the Le Meridien Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday.

However, when questioned the possibility of intervention by the cigarette industry or manufacturers on the draft, the minister didn't comment much. "We'll see later."


According to the minister, the draft will shortly be submitted to the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, Agung Laksono. Previously, the government has prepared a draft government ordinance on cigarettes through the Department of Health. This draft is to support the execution of the Law on Health No. 36/2009 which also has an arrangement for cigarettes.

The draft on cigarettes, among which, covers regulations about non-smoking areas, signages on cigarette packs, and the ban to sell cigarettes to kids, or to sell single cigarettes, and also the bad on advertisements, sponsorships, and promotions of cigarettes on the mass media.

Meanwhile, the National Commission on Child Protection is also hoping for the government to issue the regulation that bans cigarette advertisements soon. The commission's secretary general, Arist Merdeka Sirait, stated that the regulation should be issued considering that the increasing number of smokers in Indonesia is due to cigarette advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships.

"We observe that the cigarette industry is becoming more aggressive in snaring the young generation with systematic methods and this has resulted in a significant increase on the number of smokers."

The National Commission on Child Protection, on January 25 to 26, 2010, held a National Forum for the Total Ban Alliance in Jakarta. The forum came up with a number of conclusions.

First, is to urge the government to issue a government ordinance on securing tobacco products since tobacco is an addictive substance that affects health. Second, is to urge all sectoral ministries related to the draft government ordinance to be consistent with the Law No. 36/2009 on health.

Third, is to urge all the people, including the media to support the government to have accountable and transparent reviews. Fourth, is to urge the government to refuse all interventions, whether directly or indirectly, from the cigarette industry while considering the draft government ordinance.

kompas.com / 03/10/ 2010