City plans to restrict smoking

City plans to restrict smoking

The Jakarta city administration plans to prohibit
smoking in public places such as public transit, and government
and private buildings this year.

Governor Sutiyoso said Monday he is still preparing the legal
structure of the policy, which could come in the form of a
gubernatorial decree or a bylaw.

"Hopefully, the public places will be tobacco free by the end
of this year. I hope that the policy will receive support from
the public," he added.

Sutiyoso said that for the first phase in implementing the
policy, he may require all building owners to provide an isolated
place for smokers so that their habit will not disrupt other
people.

Sutiyoso said he also planned to issue a decree limiting the
age of visitors to discotheques and some other venues - a common
policy in a number of countries.

"If other countries can impose tobacco free zones and limit
the age of visitors to night clubs, why can't we do it here?" he
said.

Currently, there are many private buildings which ban
employees from smoking in certain areas, but the policy is not
popular among government offices, with the exception of the
health department. --JP