The drafting of a Minister of Health Regulation (RPMK) concerning the\ninclusion of health warnings and information on tobacco and electronic\ncigarette products has drawn sharp criticism from various elements of\nsociety. This technical rule, derived from Government Regulation (PP)\nNumber 28 of 2024, is considered not to have thoroughly considered the\nsocio-economic impact, particularly for the six million workers who\ndepend on the tobacco products industry (IHT) supply chain.<\/p>\n
The Chairman of the Bahtsul Masail Institute of the Nahdlatul Ulama\nExecutive Board (PBNU), KH Mahbub Ma\u2019afi Romdhon, stressed that\npolicymaking institutions must not simply impose bans without\nconsidering the long-term effects on the livelihoods of people in the\ntobacco sector. \u2018The state must not be negligent. Any government policy\nmust consider intellectual input. Unfortunately, those directly affected\nare often not involved. This is not fair. This RPMK draft does not\nconsider economic sustainability,\u2019 Mahbub said in Jakarta on Thursday\n(2\/7\/2026).<\/p>\n
From a constitutional law perspective, Sebelas Maret University (UNS)\nlegal expert Djatmiko Anom Husodo emphasised the importance of\nregulatory impact mitigation instruments before the rule is enacted.\nIdeal public policy must prioritise the principles of proportionality,\nprudence, evidence-based decision-making, and information transparency.\nDjatmiko reminded that the draft regulation concerning the tobacco\necosystem, including the plan for standardised packaging without brand\nattributes, must be implementative and adaptive without causing sudden\nsocio-economic disruption. \u2018The IHT is a long-existing economic\necosystem, so the impact on the interests within it must be properly\ncalculated. The grandfather clause principle applies here, where a new\nregulation cannot simply negate long-standing legal or operational\nrights,\u2019 Djatmiko explained.<\/p>\n
Through this draft standardised packaging regulation initiated by the\nMinistry of Health, the logos, colours, and distinctive designs of\ncigarette brands will be removed. All cigarette packs will be made\nuniform to reduce visual appeal, particularly for new and young smokers.\nFrom a health perspective, this policy is believed to reduce the appeal\nof cigarettes, especially among the youth. However, many parties warn of\nthe knock-on effects on the packaging, printing, and tobacco farming\nindustries, as well as the millions of workers who depend on this\nsector. Government data shows approximately 1.58 million people work\ndirectly in the tobacco industry. When calculated from upstream to\ndownstream, the supply chain supports around six million people.\nMeanwhile, tobacco excise revenue reached approximately Rp221.7 trillion\nin 2025.<\/p>\n
Labour unions assess that the policy has the potential to cause far\ngreater economic consequences than the benefits claimed by the\ngovernment. Ahead of the July 2026 implementation deadline, the Lentera\nAnak Foundation has appreciated the Ministry of Health\u2019s commitment to\nfinalising the draft regulation on cigarettes. The discourse on\nstandardised packaging for tobacco products is considered a violation of\nconstitutional rights because it restricts information on products\nlegally circulating in society. These various regulations are feared to\npressure the sustainability of a strategic sector that significantly\ncontributes to employment and the national economy. The Indonesian\nEmployers\u2019 Association (APINDO) also highlighted the potential impact on\nintellectual property rights, particularly regarding trademark values\nthat have been legally protected.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/six-million-tobacco-industry-workers-said-to-be-affected-by-plain-packaging-regulation-1782989451", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }