RI still ignore tobacco convention

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