Failure to sign tobacco pact could backfire on RI

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)