“Tobacco is the eighth commodity proposed in the draft law,” said Sofyan Dedy Ardyanto, a member of the bill’s working committee, during a community workshop.
Ardyanto, who represents Temanggung, a key tobacco-producing area, said the bill seeks to address declining demand and protect the livelihoods of tobacco farmers.
Discussions on the bill have involved the Indonesian Tobacco Farmers Association (APTI) and local governments from tobacco-producing regions, he added.
“Farmers are worried because tobacco absorption keeps falling each year, despite its long history in Indonesia,” Ardyanto said.
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He noted that Indonesia is among the world’s top consumers of cigarettes, and the domestic tobacco market remains strong.
The tobacco sector employs 5 to 6 million people nationwide, including farmers, factory workers, distributors, and small retailers, he said.
However, Ardyanto warned that Indonesia’s ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has significantly weakened the industry, even though it still contributes substantially to state revenue through taxes and excise.
He said the bill aims to ensure the sustainability of the industry and protect those who depend on it.
“The tobacco industry is still viable, but our current regulations treat it like a dying sector, slowly pushing it toward collapse,” Ardyanto said.
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Translator: Heru, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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