Temanggung Tobacco Farmers Storm Parliament, Reject Nicotine Content Regulation

Hundreds of tobacco farmers from the Indonesian Tobacco Farmers Association (APTI) in Temanggung Regency visited the House of Representatives (DPR) to voice their concerns. During a hearing with Commission IV, the farmers firmly rejected the draft regulation derived from Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024, which limits tar and nicotine content. They argue the policy severely harms farmers and threatens the survival of a commodity that is the backbone of the local economy.

Soleh, a representative of the Temanggung APTI, stated that the government has long neglected the fate of tobacco farmers. He claimed that farmers are merely seen as a source of state revenue without receiving adequate protection or business certainty. “We are struggling, and we really hope the state will be present, not just treat tobacco farmers as cash cows through various levies and fiscal policies,” Soleh said on Wednesday.

Soleh explained that the regulation is particularly devastating because it fails to consider the natural characteristics of local tobacco varieties. He highlighted that Temanggung’s prized Srintil tobacco naturally contains high nicotine levels, around 8mg, which would be outlawed under the proposed limits. “This will kill Indonesian tobacco. Where will the harvest go if this rule is enforced? Local tobacco, which has been the farmers’ source of livelihood, will die,” he stressed.

The farmers urged the government to formulate policies that consider agronomic realities and provide real support rather than punitive restrictions. They demanded empowerment and protection to ensure the sustainability of their businesses. The Temanggung region alone has a tobacco planting area of 13,391 hectares, underscoring the commodity’s vital role in the local economy.