Anti-cigarette campaign goes up in smoke

JAKARTA: An antismoking campaign in the city administration, supported by Gubernatorial Decree No. 11/2004 issued on Feb. 24, has apparently failed, with many city employees still to be seen puffing away in city administration offices including City Hall.

The city's official website, beritajakarta.com, reported on Saturday that the Central Jakarta Municipality offices were the worst offenders compared to the other four municipality offices, even though a special 20-square-meter smoking lounge has been provided for smokers.

Municipality employees, however, argue that they prefer to smoke in their workplaces while on the job.

The decree requires that smoke-free zones be established in administration offices, and for special areas fitted with extractor fans to be set aside for smokers. It also prohibits the promotion of cigarettes among administration officials and staff. -- JP