Temanggung Regent Warns Uniform Packaging Rules Threaten Tobacco Ecosystem

The Regent of Temanggung, Agus Setyawan, believes that the proposed rules for standardised packaging contained within the Draft Ministerial Regulation (RPMK) will impact the tobacco ecosystem in his region. He revealed that the regulation is causing unrest among farmers and traders in the area.

“There is much anxiety among farmers, workers, traders, and manufacturers because they are being hit by regulations, including the derivative rules of Government Regulation No. 28/2024,” said Agus in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday.

In the process of drafting the rules for standardised packaging, which includes plans for uniformising fonts, shapes, and colours, Agus expressed regret because the discussion process was conducted without involving farmers and stakeholders within the tobacco ecosystem.

It is known that Temanggung tobacco, nicknamed ‘green gold’, is cultivated in seven production centres: Lamuk, Lamsi, Paksi, Toalo, Tionggang, Swanbing, and Kidulan. The area of tobacco cultivation in Temanggung Regency ranges between 16,000 and 18,000 hectares annually, with a production capacity of approximately 12,000 tonnes of dried tobacco per year.

On the other hand, the General Chairman of the National Board of the Indonesian Tobacco Farmers Association (DPN APTI), Agus Parmuji, noted that tobacco is not only a leading commodity in Temanggung Regency but also an integral part of the culture in the Mount Sumbing, Sindoro, and Mount Prau regions. Therefore, he believes this regulation will directly impact the livelihoods of the people of Temanggung and rejects the proposed draft regulation.