Health Ministry Explains Plan to Standardise Cigarette Packaging
The Ministry of Health is set to standardise cigarette packaging as part of a draft Minister of Health Regulation (RPMK) concerning the inclusion of health warnings and information on tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. The regulation will introduce packaging standardisation, or plain packaging, by making the colour of packaging uniform for tobacco and electronic cigarette products. This measure is expected to reduce the appeal of the products, especially among children and teenagers.
Acting Director General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, Dr Andi Saguni, explained that cigarette and electronic cigarette packaging does not merely serve as a container for the product. It also acts as a promotional medium to attract the attention of potential new consumers, particularly young people. He stated that the regulation is not intended to ban a legal product, but rather to make the visual appearance of cigarette packs unattractive to consumers.
"The main objective of standardised packaging is not to prohibit legal products, but to reduce the visual appeal that has made tobacco products more attractive to children and adolescents. Cigarette packaging must not become a promotional medium that encourages the younger generation to start smoking," said Dr Andi, quoted from a written statement on Tuesday (16/6/2026).
The draft RPMK stipulates that product packaging will use a uniform colour, while brand identity and font will follow applicable provisions. Graphic health warnings will still be clearly displayed, ensuring the public receives information about health risks. Citing various international studies, Dr Andi noted that the implementation of plain packaging is considered effective in reducing product appeal, increasing the effectiveness of health warnings, and preventing smoking initiation among children and novice smokers.
"When attractive design elements are reduced, public attention will be more focused on the health messages displayed on the packaging. This is one of the strategies proven effective in efforts to control tobacco consumption," he said. Based on data, the prevalence of child smokers in the country remains a serious challenge. The government continues to pursue various tobacco product control policies to create a healthier and more productive generation.
The new draft Minister of Health Regulation follows up on Government Regulation Number 28 of 2014, the implementing regulation for Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health. The government is also regulating the standardisation of packaging for tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. The RPMK currently being drafted also stipulates that the adjustment period for implementing provisions on health warnings and information on tobacco products and electronic cigarettes will be extended to a maximum of 12 months.