Indonesia urged to ban cigarette ads

KPI member Ezki Suyanto said in a discussion on Wednesday – held to commemorate “World No Tobacco Day” celebrated every year on May 31 – that the draft revision of the 2002 Broadcasting Law should completely ban cigarette advertising on television and radio. 

“The public have the right to not be bombarded with things that could endanger their health. The current regulation to limit tobacco advertising is not enough,” she added.

Lisda Sundari of Komnas PA voiced similar demands, saying that tobacco companies were inappropriately targeting the younger generation at cultural or sports events, including those broadcast on television during the day. 

“Tobacco companies interpreted corporate social responsibility [CSR] wrongly; by sponsoring sporting events or scholarships to reach the young generation,” Lisda said. “[A more suitable programme] would be compensation for people suffering the consequences of smoking,” she added.

As per data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.3 million people die from tobacco-related illnesses every year in Southeast Asia. The WHO said a ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship was one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce tobacco demand.

According to Lisda, Indonesia was the only country in Asean that still allowed cigarette advertising.

In December last year, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued a government regulation on tobacco control, placing tighter restrictions on tobacco advertising. Under the regulation, cigarette makers can still advertise outdoors, but adverts cannot be larger than 72 square metres.

Other restrictions include a ban against tobacco ads alongside main roads. Cigarette brands are not allowed to place ads on the front page of publications and they are not allowed advertise next to food and beverage adverts. In addition, on television adverts may only be aired between 9.30pm and 5am.