Councillors welcome ban on smoking in public places<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A number of councillors gave strong support on Tuesday for the
\nplan of Governor Sutiyoso to ban smoking in public places like
\nshopping malls, offices, and on public buses and trains.<\/p>\n
They advised the city administration to draft a bylaw on the
\nban, which will become the legal basis for the policy stipulating
\npunishment for violators.<\/p>\n
Muhayar RM, a councillor from the Justice Party (PK), stressed
\nthat his faction will support the city administration's move but
\nsaid that such a policy could not be only ruled by a
\ngubernatorial decree.<\/p>\n
\"A bylaw is needed as without it, the enforcement cannot be
\nupheld as there would be no legal consequences for violators,\"
\nMuhayar told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said he planned to issue a regulation on the smoking
\nban in public places when speaking during a ceremony for the
\ntobacco free day last Saturday.<\/p>\n
His statement was repeated on Monday, saying that the policy
\nis expected to be enforced this year. He said that he would issue
\nan instruction shortly which would oblige building owners to
\nimplement the policy, including providing an isolated area for
\nsmokers.<\/p>\n
\"Buildings owners, for example, should prepare a special room
\nfor smokers so that they will not disturb other people,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Muhayar said such a regulation was needed to promote a
\nhealthier way of life for urban dwellers, adding that such a
\nregulation has been enforced in a number of developed countries
\nlike the United States and Singapore.<\/p>\n
\"I think, it is a good idea that should be supported by the
\npublic,\" he added.<\/p>\n
A similar comment came from Syamsidar Siregar, a councillor
\nfrom the National Mandate Party (PAN), who also stressed the need
\nfor the city administration to draft a bylaw on the smoking ban
\nin public places.<\/p>\n
\"We hope that with the policy, people will not become victims
\nof second-hand smoke. As we often see smokers smoking in public
\nvehicles without considering the feelings of people nearby,\"
\nSyamsidar said.<\/p>\n
Data shows that some 70 percent of Indonesians are smokers.
\nIndonesia is also a producer of cigarettes the excise duty of
\nwhich contributes significantly to state revenue.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/councillors-welcome-ban-on-smoking-in-public-places-1447893297",
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