Livelihoods of Tobacco Farmers Eroded by Draft Standardised Packaging Regulation

Tobacco farmers in Bondowoso, East Java, are concerned that the push for a standardised packaging regulation will affect factory absorption of their productivity. This is inseparable from the strictness of the draft regulation surrounding the tobacco products industry, leaving tobacco farmers anxious and pessimistic about future harvests.

Chairman of the Bondowoso branch of the Indonesian Tobacco Farmers Association, M Yasid, stated that tobacco has been the most important economic pillar and a leading commodity in his region. Rather than a draft standardised packaging regulation that would kill farmers’ livelihoods, Yasid stressed that what tobacco farmers need is protection and capacity strengthening for the sustainability of the economy and the welfare of farming communities.

“The sustainability of our farmers’ livelihoods is threatened by the discourse on standardised packaging policy through the Draft Health Ministerial Regulation. Do not let a forced draft regulation slowly kill farmers’ livelihoods and destroy the people’s tobacco industry. Tobacco is the livelihood of more than 5,000 farmers in Bondowoso. Please hear our aspirations,” said Yasid in a statement on Thursday.

He also emphasised that tobacco farmers in Bondowoso agree and firmly reject all drafts and formulations of regulations that suppress their main commodity. “The government must listen to the voices of the grassroots so that the policy is immediately evaluated. We must always protect tobacco, this is also to save the farmers’ fields,” he continued.

For context, early last May marked the planting season for Bondowoso tobacco farmers, who with high optimism sowed seeds of local superior varieties. Bondowoso tobacco is grouped into two types: chopped tobacco and Kasturi tobacco. Approximately 5,000 farmers depend on this sector, with a total tobacco planting area in Bondowoso reaching 8,424.40 hectares. “We urge that this standardised packaging regulation not be passed in order to save the economic lifeline of Bondowoso,” said Yasid.

Separately, in a focus group discussion on packaging standardisation regulation from the perspective of the Trademark and Industrial Design Law some time ago, Professor Selvie Sinaga, a Professor of Intellectual Property Law at Atmajaya University, stressed that the draft standardised packaging regulation contradicts legal provisions related to trademarks.

“It must be remembered that the essential function of a trademark is as a visual differentiator. Therefore, the push for standardised packaging can obscure trademark protection,” she said. “Standardised packaging is tantamount to reducing distinguishing power, which also means eroding the essential function. This is fully regulated in Law No. 20 of 2016 concerning Trademarks and Geographical Indications,” she added.