APKLI Urges Pramono Not to Rush Smoke-Free Zone Governor's Regulation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Street Vendors' Association (APKLI) has called on Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo not to rush the issuance of a Governor's Regulation (Pergub) as the implementing rule for Regional Regulation No. 7 of 2025 on Smoke-Free Zones (Perda KTR) in DKI Jakarta.
According to APKLI chairman Ali Mahsun, provisions in the Jakarta smoke-free zone bylaw governing the prohibition of cigarette displays will remain a distinct burden for traders.
"With the enactment of the Jakarta smoke-free zone bylaw, neighbourhood shops and street vendors will not simply stop displaying cigarettes at their stalls overnight," Ali said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He said traders need time to make adjustments, and displaying products for sale is a form of support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). "The governor's regulation must not alter that substance by introducing sanctions," he said.
Ali expressed hope that Pramono would remain consistent with his statement that the Jakarta smoke-free zone bylaw must not disrupt the MSME economy.
Ali stressed that if the governor's regulation issued as the technical rule for the bylaw were to introduce sanctions on cigarette displays, it would contradict the commitment that has been publicly communicated.
He argued that imposing sanctions on display prohibitions would directly affect the livelihoods of some 1.1 million small traders in Jakarta.
"There are 1.1 million small traders, neighbourhood shops, hawkers, street vendors and other MSMEs affected by these prohibitions. This regulation clearly impacts the income of ordinary people who have long been the backbone of the local economy," Ali said.
Ali also noted that the issue of banning cigarette sales, displays and advertising is inseparable from the global anti-tobacco movement.
He said the movement frequently pushes anti-tobacco policies based solely on health statistics without considering the economic impact on ordinary people.
The current economic conditions of the populace are sluggish, he said, compounded by purchasing power that has yet to recover and global economic pressures.
If forced through now, there are fears that new abuses could emerge on the ground. "Technical rules could be exploited by unscrupulous individuals to extort MSME operators," Ali warned.
Regarding future implementation, Ali called on the DKI Jakarta provincial government and the Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) to involve all components of the tobacco ecosystem in drafting the technical rules and the socialisation process.
According to APKLI chairman Ali Mahsun, provisions in the Jakarta smoke-free zone bylaw governing the prohibition of cigarette displays will remain a distinct burden for traders.
"With the enactment of the Jakarta smoke-free zone bylaw, neighbourhood shops and street vendors will not simply stop displaying cigarettes at their stalls overnight," Ali said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He said traders need time to make adjustments, and displaying products for sale is a form of support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). "The governor's regulation must not alter that substance by introducing sanctions," he said.
Ali expressed hope that Pramono would remain consistent with his statement that the Jakarta smoke-free zone bylaw must not disrupt the MSME economy.
Ali stressed that if the governor's regulation issued as the technical rule for the bylaw were to introduce sanctions on cigarette displays, it would contradict the commitment that has been publicly communicated.
He argued that imposing sanctions on display prohibitions would directly affect the livelihoods of some 1.1 million small traders in Jakarta.
"There are 1.1 million small traders, neighbourhood shops, hawkers, street vendors and other MSMEs affected by these prohibitions. This regulation clearly impacts the income of ordinary people who have long been the backbone of the local economy," Ali said.
Ali also noted that the issue of banning cigarette sales, displays and advertising is inseparable from the global anti-tobacco movement.
He said the movement frequently pushes anti-tobacco policies based solely on health statistics without considering the economic impact on ordinary people.
The current economic conditions of the populace are sluggish, he said, compounded by purchasing power that has yet to recover and global economic pressures.
If forced through now, there are fears that new abuses could emerge on the ground. "Technical rules could be exploited by unscrupulous individuals to extort MSME operators," Ali warned.
Regarding future implementation, Ali called on the DKI Jakarta provincial government and the Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) to involve all components of the tobacco ecosystem in drafting the technical rules and the socialisation process.