Health Ministry: Illegal Cigarettes Existed Before Plain Packaging Proposal

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has stated that the circulation of illegal cigarettes existed before the proposal for plain packaging emerged in the draft Minister of Health Regulation. The statement was made amidst discussions on derivative rules from Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024.

Benget Saragih, Head of the Tobacco-Induced Disease Control Working Team at Kemenkes, said the government understands the various views regarding the formulation of the regulation. According to him, Kemenkes is also considering health and economic aspects in the policy harmonisation process.

Benget acknowledged that one of the main concerns raised is the potential increase in the circulation of illegal cigarettes. However, he noted that this issue already existed before the plain packaging proposal was discussed. ‘The control of illegal cigarettes must be strengthened, including how supervision is carried out,’ Benget said in a written statement on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.

Meanwhile, Tauhid Ahmad, Senior Researcher and Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), assessed that law enforcement against the circulation of illegal cigarettes needs to be a government priority. He considered effective supervision crucial amidst the discussion of various policies in the tobacco products sector.

Discussions on the draft Minister of Health Regulation are still ongoing. Kemenkes stated it remains open to receiving input from various parties before the regulation is finalised.