RI still ignore tobacco convention

JAKARTA: Indonesia is the only country in Asia that has not signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), according to a pulmonologist.

Dr. Tjandra Yoga Aditama said on Friday that the time limit for the signing of the convention had expired in June of this year. However, Indonesia could still become a party to the convention by accession. "We'll write a letter to President Megawati to urge her to ensure that Indonesia accedes to the FCTC as soon as possible," said Tjandra.

If Indonesia becomes a party to the convention, it will be obliged to enact comprehensive tobacco control legislation. The convention was adopted on May 21, 2003, by the 191 member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO). --JP