THE NATIONAL COALITION OF TOBACCO CONTROL STATEMENT

Jakarta, 18 Rabi’ul Awwal 1437/29 December 2015 (MINA) – The Jokowi-JK (Jusuf Kalla) Government are under the power of the tobacco industry, the National Coalition of Civil Society for Tobacco Control (KNMS PT) has claimed.

Ifdhal Kasim, chairman KNMS PT states, there must be a change of policy on the tobacco industry as enshrined in the Constitution and Nawacita initiated by Jokowi-JK administration.

In Nawacita Jokowi-JK Government, one grain mention, the state must protect the nation and improve the quality of life of the people of Indonesia. However, contrary to all of it.

Government more aligned to the tobacco industry in a variety of policies. This was evidenced by the revised roadmap tobacco industry by the Ministry of Industry RI which targets the tobacco industry growth of five to 7.4 per cent annually.

The policy will encourage increased consumption and production of cigarettes in Indonesia to 524 billion cigarettes in 2020. This situation is exacerbated by an investment acceptance of Phillip Morris in Indonesia for more than two billion US dollars.

KNMS PT assess the increase in cigarette consumption triggers the consumption of alcohol and drugs. This had a negative impact on the social, economic, health, and morals.

Sudibyo Markus, representatives of Muhammadiyah health said, “Indonesia is stuck in an increase in productivity but false.” The government is targeting a profit from the tobacco industry, but the losses (in the areas of social and health) higher than the benefits.

The National Civil Society Coalition for Tobacco Control

KNMS PT formed government to speed up the ratification of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). In addition, it aims to safeguard the public interest in the health sector that should be a technical instrument for tobacco control, such as the FCTC.

This coalition was initiated by organizations engaged in tobacco control and several nongovernmental organizations, such as the Legal Aid Foundation of Indonesia (YLBHI), Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), Raya Indonesia (House of Study and Advocacy Populist ), International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and Council of Trustees of Public Health (MPKU).

Five Solutions from KNMS PT for Government

According to Herry Chariansyah, Director of Raya Indonesia (House of Study and Advocacy Populist), there are five steps that should be taken by the government solutions related to tobacco control.

First, immediate accession and ratification of the FCTC. Second, ban advertising and promotion of cigarettes overall. Third, raise the cigarette tax and ban the sale at retail. Fourth, make the region without cigarettes (KTR) one hundred percent. Fifth, the efficiency of pictorial health warnings on cigarette packaging by 75 percent and may not be covered with any image.

“Indeed, smoking is a human right, but the impact of smoking is very harmful for health. Therefore, the government must also consider the right to health of the people of Indonesia,”, HRWG members, Rafendi Djamin said.

Indonesia has one of the initiators of the FCTC, but until now has not ratified the instrument. (L/M01/M02/R04)

Miraj Islamic News Agency (MINA)