Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture Receives Input in Public Testing of Tobacco Product Health Policy

Policy review on health regulations concerning tobacco product controls remains ongoing. Various stakeholders presented their views and input at the Public Testing Forum for the Study on Determining Maximum Nicotine and Tar Limits, held by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) in Jakarta on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

The forum is part of the policy-making process mandated by Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 on the implementation of Law No. 17 of 2023 concerning Health.

The event brought together numerous stakeholders, including representatives from ministries and government agencies, academics, industry practitioners, labour organisations, and farmer associations. They presented their perspectives on the drafting team’s study before the policy proceeds through inter-ministerial coordination and government decision-making stages.

Agus Parmuji, Chairman of the National Leadership Board of the Indonesian Tobacco Farmers Association (APTI), stated at the forum that any policy formulated must take into account domestic conditions and their impact on communities dependent on the tobacco sector.

“Global standards should not simply be applied in Indonesia without considering local conditions. Tobacco in Indonesia is also part of our culture and a source of livelihood for many people,” Agus said in his statement.

He also warned that poorly prepared policy risks placing pressure on the economy in major tobacco-producing regions such as East Java, Madura, and Temanggung.

Additionally, Agus urged the government to prepare supporting measures should the policy be implemented, including through developing diversified tobacco products and utilising derivative products with added value.

According to him, such efforts must be accompanied by infrastructure support and mentoring programmes to help communities adapt to the policy changes.

The Tobacco-Based Industry (IHT) sector has long served as a key pillar of the national economy. In 2024, the sector contributed approximately 4.22 per cent to national gross domestic product, with a value reaching Rp158.72 trillion.

The industry is also known as a labour-intensive sector that absorbs millions of workers across the entire supply chain, making it essential for any related policies to consider the comprehensive social and economic impact.