Ada Pertanyaan? Hubungi Kami 
Ada Pertanyaan? Hubungi Kami Kartini L Makmur, Yanuar Pribadhie
Although it is a country with a long history and close relationship with tobacco, Indonesia has a weak regulatory framework to minimize cigarette consumption. This was the view delivered by Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto of the Advocacy Division of the National Commission on Tobacco Control.
Karbyanto believes that a strong regulatory framework will reduce the number of smokers in Indonesia. However, Karbyanto added that some regulations are actually supporting the cigarette industry.
"Indonesia provides much support to the tobacco industry. For example, excise imposed on cigarettes is less than other products. Consequently, cigarettes in Indonesia are cheaper than any other countries," said Karbyanto in Jakarta on Monday.
Karbyanto explained that increasing cigarette excise may prevent lower income earners from buying cigarettes and consequently decrease the number of smokers.
"What has happening so far is that there is no such regulation. In the United States, a pack of cigarettes costs IDR 100,000, while in Indonesia the cost is only IDR 10,000," said Karbyanto.
The idea of increasing the excise on cigarettes is supported by Sumarjati Arjoso, the Head of the Caucus on Health at the House of Representatives. Sumarjati stated that a strong regulatory framework does not necessarily mean a ban smoking, but it must prevent the public from becoming victims of the cigarette industry.
Sumarjati hopes that Government Regulation No. 109 of 2012 on the Control of Addictive Substances in the Form of Tobacco Products will be used as a guideline for the Government and the public, especially teenagers, to stop smoking.
"Teenagers are our future leaders. Welfare will be impossible if they have bad health due to smoking," emphasized Arjoso.
(hot/kc)
Kartini L Makmur, Yanuar Pribadhie
Although it is a country with a long history and close relationship with tobacco, Indonesia has a weak regulatory framework to minimize cigarette consumption. This was the view delivered by Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto of the Advocacy Division of the National Commission on Tobacco Control.
Karbyanto believes that a strong regulatory framework will reduce the number of smokers in Indonesia. However, Karbyanto added that some regulations are actually supporting the cigarette industry.
"Indonesia provides much support to the tobacco industry. For example, excise imposed on cigarettes is less than other products. Consequently, cigarettes in Indonesia are cheaper than any other countries," said Karbyanto in Jakarta on Monday.
Karbyanto explained that increasing cigarette excise may prevent lower income earners from buying cigarettes and consequently decrease the number of smokers.
"What has happening so far is that there is no such regulation. In the United States, a pack of cigarettes costs IDR 100,000, while in Indonesia the cost is only IDR 10,000," said Karbyanto.
The idea of increasing the excise on cigarettes is supported by Sumarjati Arjoso, the Head of the Caucus on Health at the House of Representatives. Sumarjati stated that a strong regulatory framework does not necessarily mean a ban smoking, but it must prevent the public from becoming victims of the cigarette industry.
Sumarjati hopes that Government Regulation No. 109 of 2012 on the Control of Addictive Substances in the Form of Tobacco Products will be used as a guideline for the Government and the public, especially teenagers, to stop smoking.
"Teenagers are our future leaders. Welfare will be impossible if they have bad health due to smoking," emphasized Arjoso.
(hot/kc)