Role models needed to curb smokers<\/p>\n
Sari P. Setiogi and Urip Hudiono, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government hopes that nonsmoking, informal leaders, including
\nMuslim clerics, will set a good example to the public, as the old
\nmethods have been proven less effective in curbing the number of
\nsmokers in the country.<\/p>\n
Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said the influence of clerics
\nwould motivate their followers and the general public to refrain
\nfrom smoking or quit altogether.<\/p>\n
\"It is also hoped that clerics will help their students and
\nfollowers understand the impact of smoking and create a smoke-
\nfree environment,\" Sujudi said.<\/p>\n
In observance of World No Tobacco Day this year, which falls
\non May 31, the ministry awarded the Langitan Muslim boarding
\nschool in Tuban, East Java, for its persistent efforts to create
\na smoke-free school.<\/p>\n
It has also established regulations to uphold the policy.
\nPunishment ranges from scalp shaving to a fine in the form of a
\nsack of cement, which must be bought and donated to the school.<\/p>\n
The school has implemented the nonsmoking policy since 1987.<\/p>\n
Islamic boarding schools exist throughout the country, but
\nonly a few are smoke-free.<\/p>\n
The same situation also exists in government and local
\ngovernment offices, as not all have been declared nonsmoking
\nareas due to the absence of bylaws to implement antitobacco
\nregulations, said Sujudi.<\/p>\n
The legislation and regulations that did relate to the
\ncountry's antismoking campaign were relatively weak, he said,
\nincluding the low tax imposed on tobacco and low retail price of
\ncigarettes.<\/p>\n
For years, the government has been urged to increase the tax
\non tobacco to bring down the number of smokers in the country,
\nparticularly the poor.<\/p>\n
\"By increasing the tax, the government would receive more
\nincome that could be used to fund public health care programs,
\nparticularly for those who suffer from illnesses resulting from
\ntobacco use,\" said Sujudi.<\/p>\n
The minister said the greater the tax on tobacco the less poor
\npeople would buy cigarettes, and more would quit smoking.<\/p>\n
This year's No Tobacco Day commemoration is themed \"Tobacco
\nand Poverty\".<\/p>\n
World Bank data shows that tax on tobacco here accounts for
\nabout 31 percent of the price of a pack of cigarettes,
\ncontributing some Rp 30 trillion (US$3.2 billion) to the state's
\ncoffers. That makes Indonesia's the second-lowest tobacco tax
\nafter Cambodia's.<\/p>\n
The price of cigarettes here is also considered among the
\nlowest in the region. A pack of 20 cigarettes costs about Rp
\n4,800 (US 52 cents) in Indonesia, much less than the US$3.08 in
\nSingapore.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) chairman Farid Anfasa
\nMoeloek said although the government could generate Rp 30
\ntrillion from tobacco tax, health and social problems caused by
\nsmoking cost the government twice as much.<\/p>\n
Separately, in observance of World No Tobacco Day, the
\nIndonesian Network of Women Against Tobacco (WITT) urged the
\npublic on Monday to be more aware of the hazards of smoking.<\/p>\n
It also urged the government to provide nonsmoking areas in
\npublic spaces, to encourage women to play the main role in an
\nantismoking campaign within their families and to help smokers
\nwho wish to quit the habit.<\/p>\n
The activists would start their campaign on Sunday with a one-
\nday rally at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, in which they
\nwould distribute free pamphlets and stickers that campaign
\nagainst smoking, said WITT chairwoman Nita Yudi.<\/p>\n
Tobacco consumption in Indonesia during the period 1977 to
\n2000 increased sevenfold, from 33 billion to 187 billion
\ncigarettes.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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