On tobacco industry

On tobacco industry

From Media Indonesia

The tobacco industry contributes significantly to the state's coffers. This phenomenon is reflected in the government's plan to raise the retail selling price of cigarettes, as one of the methods to boost state income from the excise on cigarettes. This increase will allow the government to enjoy an additional revenue of Rp 500 billion. This rise is intended to ensure that the 2001 budget deficit will remain at a safe level.

Aside from the excise, the tobacco industry contributes much more to the state. The industry provides direct and indirect employment opportunities to millions of people. Then it also contributes financially in the development of regions where there are cigarette factories.

Cigarettes, however, also increase the risk of contracting various illnesses such as emphysema, heart attack, asthma, impotence, infertility, stroke, lung cancer and many other afflictions. Recently there have been many public discussions on the health risks from exposure to cigarette smoke (known as environmental tobacco smoke/ETS, secondhand smoke or passive smoking).

This controversy simply continues without a definite solution because the government is not firm in its stance toward the tobacco industry. The fact that the state needs a lot of money for its development activities is no justification for not regulating the industry.

In developed countries, regulations on the tobacco industry are drawn up and then firmly implemented. The objective is clear: the state must guarantee the health of the community without having to deny the rights of the tobacco industry to operate its business. The government in these countries, for example, creates smoking and non-smoking zones in public places. It stipulates that cigarette advertisements are permitted only in the print media whose readership is over 21 years old and the timing of the airing of cigarette commercials is regulated in the electronic media. Obviously this is a win-win solution or an accommodative policy of sorts. Fortunately, the tobacco industry supports this policy.

I believe it is time for the government, the public and cigarette makers to sit at the negotiating table to discuss all these matters. They should not engage only in mutual criticism without seeking solutions. As a result, smokers and non-smokers are given equal standing in terms of their rights, public health is guaranteed and financial contribution from the cigarette industry for development continues to be forthcoming.

TEGUH IMAM SUYUDI

Jakarta