Indonesia has enacted a new regulation to curb tobacco use, which includes prohibiting the sale of individual cigarettes, raising the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, and tightening advertising restrictions. This move, supported by public health advocates, aims to reduce smoking rates, especially among youth. However, it faces criticism from those concerned about the impact on the tobacco industry and small retailers.
Source: https://tobaccoreporter.com/2024/07/31/indonesia-bans-single-stick-sales/
The regulation also bans cigarette sales near schools and playgrounds but allows the sale of cigars and e-cigarettes individually. Experts question the enforcement of these measures in a country with a strong smoking culture. Indonesia, which has not ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, has seen rising smoking rates, with 35.4% of adults using tobacco.
The tobacco industry employs millions, and the government’s challenge lies in balancing public health with economic interests, as smoking-related healthcare costs significantly impact the economy. Critics argue that the regulation may threaten the livelihoods of many in the tobacco sector. The Indonesia bans.
More About the Indonesia Bans
The Indonesia vape ban on single cigarette sales in Indonesia has been in development for years, with President Jokowi acknowledging the country’s delay in adopting similar policies seen in other nations. Researcher Aryana Satrya advocates for increased tobacco taxes to make cigarettes unaffordable, suggesting that a price of 60,000 rupiah ($4) could lead 60% of smokers to quit. Ede Surya Darmawan proposes implementing special permits for tobacco sales to enforce regulations more effectively. However, small store owner Defan Azmani opposes the ban, stating it would drastically cut his income, as 70% of his sales come from cigarettes. He suggests that a complete ban on cigarette sales would be a more effective solution.
