Political support, people's role key to fight smoking<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More political support and people's
\nparticipation are needed to control the increase in the number of
\nsmokers and smoking-related illnesses in the country, Minister of
\nHealth Achmad Sujudi warned on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a ceremony marking the start here of a Southeast
\nAsia antitobacco flame relay, Achmad expressed his concern about
\nthe significant increase in smokers in developing countries,
\nincluding Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"On the contrary, in several countries like the United States
\nand Australia, the number of smokers is declining, which means
\ntheir governments' campaigns to reduce cigarette consumption are
\neffective,\" he said.<\/p>\n
National cigarette consumption within the past decade recorded
\na drastic rise from 2.7 percent of the world's total in 1990 to 4
\npercent in 1999.<\/p>\n
Quoting a 1995 socioeconomic census report, Achmad said 6.5
\nmillion people across the country suffered illnesses stemming
\nfrom tobacco.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that smoking-
\nrelated illnesses are expected to kill 10 million people annually
\nby 2030 if tobacco-free campaigns are not heeded.<\/p>\n
Tobacco, the WHO said, will top the list for cause of death in
\nthe world, by triggering diseases like heart attacks and lung
\ncancer. Cigarettes have already killed one out of 10 adults in
\nthe world nowadays.<\/p>\n
Achmad suggested that Indonesia learn from developed countries
\nin controlling the rise of tobacco consumption.<\/p>\n
\"The campaign should include increasing cigarette excise,
\ncontrolling cigarette advertisement and promotion, and imposing
\nnonsmoking areas, he said.<\/p>\n
Advertisement control in many countries has proven to bring
\ndown cigarette consumption to 8 percent within six years, and the
\nimposition of nonsmoking areas curbs smoking by between 4 percent
\nand 10 percent, Achmad said.<\/p>\n
Therefore, he added, strong political will is mandatory to
\nboosting the campaign.<\/p>\n
The government of former president B.J. Habibie issued a
\nregulation last year which stipulated that each cigarette had to
\ncontain no more than 1.5 milligrams of nicotine and 20 milligrams
\nof tar.<\/p>\n
The regulation also designated more nonsmoking areas,
\nincluding in public places and workplaces, and restricted
\ncigarette ads.<\/p>\n
But only two months after its enactment, the new government of
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid reviewed the country's first
\nregulation on cigarette tar and nicotine levels, following
\npressure from local cigarette producers.<\/p>\n
The producers warned of massive unemployment if the ruling
\ntook effect. Local cigarettes, which usually contain cloves,
\nwould be unable to meet the minimum tar and nicotine levels.<\/p>\n
The WHO-sponsored antitobacco campaign in Indonesia will last
\nuntil August. The flame will pass through eight provinces,
\nincluding Bandung, West Java, on June 24, Yogyakarta on July 1,
\nSouth Sumatra on July 22, Pontianak, West Kalimantan on July 29
\nand Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Aug. 5.<\/p>\n
Some 1,000 people, mostly students, will be involved in the
\nrelay, which includes a long march and bicycle ride.<\/p>\n
Initiated in India on Jan. 8, the flame will pass through
\neight Asian countries before finishes back in India on Jan. 7,
\n2001. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/political-support-peoples-role-key-to-fight-smoking-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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