Ada Pertanyaan? Hubungi Kami 
Ada Pertanyaan? Hubungi Kami Ady TD Achmad, IGAP Trisnajaya
The House of Representatives (House) invited Indonesian Tobacco Society Alliance (AMTI) and National Coalition to Save Kretek (KNKP) to discuss the Draft Bill on Tobacco (Draft Bill).
Abdul Malik Haramain, a member of the House, stated that the Draft Bill is expected to protect tobacco farmers and lower the negative impact of tobacco products, such as cigarettes.
“The Draft Bill must protect tobacco farmers and also regulate tobacco products,” stated Malik, Tuesday (5/3).
The discussion focused on health issues, particularly on the health concerns related to kretek cigarettes—tobacco mixed with cloves—which originate in Indonesia.
Kretek cigarettes are considered to have worse impact on human health than any other kind of cigarette. Still, Malik does not want to see the national kretek cigarette industries going bankrupt.
In addition, the Draft Bill must protect domestic tobacco industry. According to Ismet Ahmad, another member of the House, foreign companies are interested in investing in the tobacco industry.
Thus, the Draft Bill should protect domestic tobacco industry and support the competitiveness of local products.
Meanwhile, Moehaimin Moefti, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of AMTI, explained that increasing tobacco excise is not a sufficient way to decrease the number of smokers.
Indonesia has a variety of cigarette brands and if the prices go up due to excise, they would simply pick a cheaper brand.
Nurtianto Wisnu Brata, Coordinator of KNKP, stated that tobacco farmers support the stipulation on health issues of tobacco products in the Draft Bill.
However, interests of farmers must also be taken into consideration in the drafting of the Draft Bill, Nurtianto concluded.
(jt)
Ady TD Achmad, IGAP Trisnajaya
The House of Representatives (House) invited Indonesian Tobacco Society Alliance (AMTI) and National Coalition to Save Kretek (KNKP) to discuss the Draft Bill on Tobacco (Draft Bill).
Abdul Malik Haramain, a member of the House, stated that the Draft Bill is expected to protect tobacco farmers and lower the negative impact of tobacco products, such as cigarettes.
“The Draft Bill must protect tobacco farmers and also regulate tobacco products,” stated Malik, Tuesday (5/3).
The discussion focused on health issues, particularly on the health concerns related to kretek cigarettes—tobacco mixed with cloves—which originate in Indonesia.
Kretek cigarettes are considered to have worse impact on human health than any other kind of cigarette. Still, Malik does not want to see the national kretek cigarette industries going bankrupt.
In addition, the Draft Bill must protect domestic tobacco industry. According to Ismet Ahmad, another member of the House, foreign companies are interested in investing in the tobacco industry.
Thus, the Draft Bill should protect domestic tobacco industry and support the competitiveness of local products.
Meanwhile, Moehaimin Moefti, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of AMTI, explained that increasing tobacco excise is not a sufficient way to decrease the number of smokers.
Indonesia has a variety of cigarette brands and if the prices go up due to excise, they would simply pick a cheaper brand.
Nurtianto Wisnu Brata, Coordinator of KNKP, stated that tobacco farmers support the stipulation on health issues of tobacco products in the Draft Bill.
However, interests of farmers must also be taken into consideration in the drafting of the Draft Bill, Nurtianto concluded.
(jt)