The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and implementation of tobacco control policies: Lessons learned from Indonesia and Thailand

Abstract

The threat that the tobacco epidemic poses to public health underscores the importance of comprehensive tobacco‐related regulation. Despite aiming to reduce the prevalence of smoking, Indonesia still falls short of this goal. In contrast, within the same region, Thailand's achievement in controlling tobacco serves as a potential role model for Indonesia. To understand the issue, we conducted a literature review of the current regulatory framework as well as the implementation of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and MPOWER framework in both countries. The review was supplemented with a Focus Group Discussion and an in‐depth interview with stakeholders in Thailand and Indonesia. This study finds that: (1) Indonesia currently lacks a strong tobacco control policy champion, whereas Thailand has several authorities that focus on the issue; (2) Thailand's tobacco product advertising and promotion and smoking bans are more restrictive compared to Indonesia's policies; and (3) Thailand's policies on tobacco pictorial health warnings, pharmacotherapy, and excise taxes are more extensive than Indonesia's. We recommend that Indonesia ratify the FCTC as the foundation of tobacco control policies while also strengthening and coordinating organizations working on tobacco control, encouraging subnational governments to introduce regulations, and enforce control, as well as improving excise policies to reduce the affordability of tobacco products.

Political Economy Analysis of Health Taxes (Tobacco, Alcohol Drink, and Sugar Sweteened Beverage): Case Study of Three Provinces in Indonesia

“…The rationale for choosing these diverse commodities as the focus of the study is to investigate the political economy in light of their distinct attributes and characteristics. Furthermore, our focus is exclusively on the sub-national level, as there is an abundance of evidence regarding the political economy of health taxation in Indonesia at the national level (20,21,23,(36)(37)(38)(39). The next section will describe the methodology and analytical approach used in this study, followed by results, and finally discussion and future recommendation.…”

The online promotion strategies of e-cigarette and heated tobacco product retailers in South Korea following the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for regulation

“…While some studies suggest that e-cigarettes and HTPs reduce the risk of lung diseases, such as cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), compared to traditional cigarettes 5 , 6 , others suggest that HTPs increase respiratory symptoms and impair lung function 7 , 8 and contain similar or higher levels of certain carcinogens, such as nicotine, tar, formaldehyde, and benzene, compared to traditional cigarettes 9 , 10 . The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a decision at the 8th Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) that calls for applying the same policies and regulations to e-cigarettes and HTPs, acknowledging the risks associated with these products 11 . As a member country of the FCTC, South Korea has strengthened regulations on e-cigarettes and HTPs in line with the increasing obligation to comply with the treaty and the growing preference for e-cigarettes among young people, along with a continuous increase in the sales volume of e-cigarettes and HTPs 12 .…”