Failure to sign tobacco pact could backfire on RI
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
This smoker-friendly country could be made an example of if the government refuses to ratify the global tobacco control pact, the World Health Organization (WHO) and local activists are warning.
"Indonesia risks losing international prestige and is virtually going it alone against the global trend of taking the pandemic of tobacco-related diseases seriously," WHO Indonesia environmental health program advisor Jan A. Speets said.
He said the Indonesian government would be considered not willing to take the responsibility to protect its citizens against the devastating impact of high tobacco consumption. "Especially the poorest of the population," Speets said.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) endorsed by 168 member states of the WHO aims to reduce the economic and health impacts of tobacco consumption by recommending tax increases on tobacco products, cracking down on smuggling, and reducing exposure to second-hand smoke.
Currently the world's fifth-largest tobacco consumer, Indonesia, however, was the only country in the Asia-Pacific region that did not sign the pact. The latest figures available show that more than 400,000 Indonesians are known to have died in 2001 due to smoking-related diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and strokes although the actual number of cases is likely to be far higher.
"By not taking part in the agreement, Indonesia will not be allowed to participate in the Conference of Parties in the FCTC where important decisions will be made on international and inter-regional measures such as prevention of smuggling and harmonization of taxes and prices," Jan said.
Earlier, local anti-tobacco activists made similar calls for the government to ensure its accession to the FCTC and to avoid being denied global health aid.
"We still need the global funding to fight HIV and tuberculosis," National Committee on Smoking Control head Farid Anfasa Moeloek said.
"If we do not pay attention to tobacco-related diseases, the funding may be cut, risking the health of the nation," the former health minister said.
The committee reported earlier that the ministries of industry, finance, trade and agriculture and the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration have refused to ratify the FCTC, arguing that it would hamper the tobacco industry and lead to massive unemployment.
However, activists reject his claim and say that the cost of smoking on the nation's health and the economy were more than the revenue generated from the industry.
The government's refusal to ratify the global agreement was also a violation of the country's 1945 Constitution, the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) said.
"Every citizen has the right to have healthy environment as stated in Article 28 of the Constitution," said Tulus Abadi, YLKI's coordinator for tobacco control advocacy.
He complained that the government decree issued recently to curb smoking in public places, including religious, health and educational centers, had not been properly implemented. (003)