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