Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Trick or treat?

Trick or treat?

From Media Indonesia

On June 24, I visited the Jakarta Fair with some friends. As I
was about to enter the main gate I was attracted by a sideshow
which I had never seen before. The show involved kicking a ball
between a goalpost. People were invited to play free of charge.
The visitors were invited to take turns kicking the ball.

Upon entering the playground I was asked to meet a salesgirl
who offered me a product which resembled a sweet. The salesgirl
told me to consume the product. It should be placed between your
lips and sucked, not bitten.

But I had heard earlier that the product was nothing but a
sort of cigarette, so I rejected the offer. The salesgirl then
tried to force me to try one and threatened to drive me out if I
did not do so. My friends took the product called SKOAL and later
threw it away after discovering they were sucking tobacco in the
form of sweets. They were apparently quite ignorant of the true
nature of the products.

As the Jakarta Fair will run for several more weeks, I am
afraid more people will be "forced" to smoke a sweet-like
cigarette, simply because they are fascinated by the game.

The authorities should do something about it.

MICHAEL

Jakarta

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