Jakarta – Indonesia is taking big steps to stop teen smoking with the new Indonesia cigarette ban. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has signed Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024 to make it harder for young people to buy cigarettes.
This new regulation bans the sale of single cigarettes, except for cigars and e-cigarettes. Now, cigarette packs must have at least 20 cigarettes, and sliced tobacco packs can’t be more than 50 grams. Before, packs with 12, 16, or 20 cigarettes were common, making it easy for teens to buy small amounts. Small shops often sold single cigarettes for as low as Rp 2,000 each, making them very easy to get. This rule aims to make cigarettes more expensive and less tempting for young smokers.
Key Points of the Indonesia Cigarette Ban
- No Sales Near Schools and Play Areas: Tobacco products and e-cigarettes can’t be sold within 200 meters of schools and children’s play areas. This keeps them out of easy reach for kids.
- No Online Sales: Tobacco products and e-cigarettes can’t be sold online through websites, apps, or social media. However, if online sales have proper age checks, they might be allowed. This ensures minors can’t easily buy these products online.
- Better Healthcare: The rule aims to improve access to quality healthcare, especially for people in underserved areas. It includes plans to upgrade healthcare facilities and increase the number of healthcare workers in remote areas, making the healthcare system stronger.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin supports this rule, saying it’s crucial for boosting Indonesia’s healthcare and cutting down smoking rates.
Impact of the Indonesia Cigarette Ban on Smoking Rates
The Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023 shows that smoking among 10-18-year-olds has dropped from 9.1 percent in 2018 to 7.4 percent in 2023. However, it’s still above the 5.4 percent target set in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). The survey also shows more people are switching from regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes, with usage going up from 0.06 percent in 2018 to 0.13 percent in 2023.
The age group that starts smoking the most is 15-19 years old at 56.5 percent, followed by 10-14 years old at 18.4 percent. These numbers show why it’s important to have strong measures to stop young people from starting to smoke.
Wrapping Up the Indonesia Cigarette Ban
Indonesia’s new cigarette ban is a big step toward reducing teenage smoking. By making cigarettes less accessible and more expensive, the government hopes to keep young people from picking up the habit. Along with better healthcare access and limits on tobacco sales near schools, this rule is a significant move in the fight against smoking in Indonesia.
