Civil Society and Tobacco Control in Indonesia: The Last Resort

Abstract

In many countries around the world, the mechanisms of civil society have become very commonplace. Large companies are under constant pressure from civil society organizations to change their policies, strategies and approaches. The tobacco industry in particular is under heavy pressure in many parts of the world. Smoking has been prohibited in many public as well as private or semi-private areas in a large number of countries. However, while smoking as an addiction seems to be declining in some countries, in others it is not. This paper presents an example of a country (Indonesia) in which smoking is still on the rise. We discuss how mechanisms of civil society are a chance to at least improve the situation and effectively combat a grave social problem.

“It is merely a paper tiger.” Battle for increased tobacco advertising regulation in Indonesia: content analysis of news articles

“…19 This could be readily prevented by adopting effective tobacco control policies, including a comprehensive TAPS ban. [19][20][21] In 2012, the Ministry of Health (MoH), supported by growing tobacco control advocacy from civil society and academics was able to succeed in enacting regulation PP 109/2012 (PP), 22 which includes a number of evidence-based tobacco control policies found in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). 23 The PP places stricter controls on TAPS compared with previous regulations.…”

“…24 However, the regulation has not fully met the expectations of tobacco control advocates since it only partially bans TAPS. 22 Unsurprisingly, the tobacco industry lobby has also raised concerns about the regulation. The tobacco industry has a long history of influential relationships with Indonesian politicians and economists, primarily due to the perceived positive contribution it makes to both national and subnational government revenue and employment.…”

Index of tobacco control sustainability (ITCS): a tool to measure the sustainability of national tobacco control programmes

“…First, an ‘internal’ role—‘Civil society having representation on national tobacco control advisory committees’, whereby civil society has a formal ‘seat at the table’ to contribute and add an alternative perspective to decision-making and guide policymakers in areas where civil society has significant practical experience 38 39. Second, an ‘external’ role—‘a civil society tobacco control network’, a mechanism for civil society to plan and coordinate activity and provide a recognised, visible forum to raise issues and concerns 40 41…”

What should the Government do to Stop Epidemic of Smoking among Teenagers in Indonesia?

“…Therefore, parents may impose limits on how much and what type of programs on television their children might watch and they may disapprove of their children owning cigarette promotional items. In fact, the tobacco control civil society organizations have important roles to disseminate scientific-based information about negative impacts of tobacco, especially to adolescents (Tandilittin & Luetge, 2013).…”