Alcohol, cigarette ads under attack

PEKANBARU, Riau: Psychiatrist Dadang Hawary proposed Sunday that the government ban alcohol and cigarette advertisements to curb addiction problems among Indonesian youths.

"Some wealthy countries have banned alcohol and cigarette advertisements to protect their younger generation from addiction," he said when addressing 1,500 students at a workshop sponsored by PT Caltex Pacific.

Dadang said that in the U.S. alcohol is one of the major killers and causes of social violence. In Russia, he said, people are advised not to consume alcohol on certain days

"In Indonesia, alcohol is prohibited by Islam," he said as quoted by Antara.

The number of youths, especially in urban areas, addicted to alcohol and cigarettes are on the rise, he said. (pan)