The National Leadership Council of the Indonesian Tobacco Farmers\nAssociation (APTI) has raised concerns about the government\u2019s plan to\nrestrict nicotine and tar content in tobacco products. This policy\nproposal is one of the provisions mandated in Government Regulation (PP)\n28 of 2024 on the Implementation of Law 17 of 2023 on Health. The\nassociation views the proposed restriction on nicotine and tar levels as\npotentially damaging to the socio-economic wellbeing of local tobacco\nfarmers across various regions in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Agus Parmuji, Chairman of the APTI National Leadership Council,\nstated that policies emphasising global standards without considering\ndomestic conditions risk placing pressure on Indonesian tobacco farmers.\nHe emphasised that any government policy must take into account the\nlivelihoods of farmers and communities dependent on the tobacco\nsector.<\/p>\n
\u201cGlobal standards should not simply be applied in Indonesia without\nconsidering local conditions. Tobacco in Indonesia is also part of our\ncultural heritage and a source of livelihood for communities,\u201d he said\nduring a public hearing on the Study on Determining Maximum Nicotine and\nTar Limits, organised by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development\nand Culture (Kemenko PMK).<\/p>\n
Agus further highlighted that the proposed policy poses a threat to\nfarmers in major tobacco-producing regions, particularly in East Java,\nMadura, and Temanggung. Without proper preparation of a supportive\necosystem, tobacco farmers would face serious economic pressure that\ncould lead to an economic crisis.<\/p>\n
In an effort to preserve Indonesia\u2019s tobacco sector, the association\nhas urged the government to pursue tobacco product diversification,\ndevelop value-added derivative products, and implement farmer support\nprogrammes. These measures are intended to protect tobacco farmers and\nsafeguard the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is partly\nsupported by the Tobacco Processing Industry (IHT) sector.<\/p>\n
In 2024, for example, the IHT contributed approximately 4.22% to\nnational GDP, totalling Rp158.72 trillion, and is projected to continue\ngrowing. The sector is recognised as supporting labour-intensive\neconomic activity, absorbing millions of workers across the supply\nchain.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe farmers face the prospect of a second economic crisis if this\npolicy on restricting nicotine and tar is not carefully prepared,\u201d Agus\nsaid. \u201cWe therefore demand a fair and appropriate policy for farmers. If\ntobacco is to be utilised for other products such as food, cosmetics or\nothers, the government must establish the necessary infrastructure down\nto the regional level,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The public hearing on determining maximum nicotine and tar limits,\norganised by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and\nCulture, forms part of the policy formulation process, where affected\nstakeholders present their views on regulating nicotine and tar levels\nin tobacco products.<\/p>\n
The forum is part of the policy development process mandated by PP\n28\/2024, which implements Law 17 of 2023 on Health, requiring the\nestablishment of maximum limits on nicotine and tar content. The forum\nwas attended by representatives from relevant government agencies and\nministries, academics, industry players, workers\u2019 organisations, and\nfarmer associations to provide input on the study results before the\npolicy is discussed further in inter-ministerial coordination processes\nand at government decision-making levels.<\/p>\n
The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture stated\nthat the study remains in the discussion and stakeholder input\ncollection stage. APTI hopes the process will consider the interests of\nall parties, so that the resulting policy is oriented not only towards\nhealth aspects, but also towards maintaining economic sustainability in\nthe tobacco sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe there is always a middle ground. What is important is\nthat this policy is examined fairly, wisely, and involves all affected\nparties,\u201d concluded Agus.<\/p>\n
The Centre for Research and Community Service at Sebelas Maret\nUniversity has highlighted the tension between health considerations and\neconomic protection in tobacco regulations. Overly strict, overlapping,\nor disproportionate policies are seen as triggers for increased\nredundancy risks in labour-intensive sectors. It is hoped that the\nmomentum of this tax moratorium is followed by more targeted\ndistribution of the Revenue-Sharing Fund for Tobacco Processing Industry\nExcise (DBHCHT). The tobacco industry has been weakened by overlapping\nregulations and conflicting policies, which place increasing pressure on\nfarmers. The national Tobacco Processing Industry (IHT) has demonstrated\nsignificant export performance growth year on year.<\/p>\n
Heru D Wardhana, Vice-Chairman of the Indonesian Clove Farmers\nAssociation (APCI), explained that the average nicotine content of\nIndonesian tobacco is above 3\u20135 per cent, with some varieties even\nhigher.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/restrictions-on-nicotine-and-tar-content-must-consider-local-conditions-1773244374", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }