Indonesia’s health ministry is listening to comments on draft rules for a health law that will focus on warning images of cigarettes and ban them from being sold around schools.
According to Republika on January 16, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health said that the implementation rules of Health Law No. 17 of 2023 concerning Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 are still being drafted. These include health warnings with warning images and a ban on cigarette sales near schools.
Speaking at a webinar in Jakarta, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, director of the Department of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control at the Health Ministry, noted that they are still listening to the government and the public on health warnings with warning images to ensure there is enough time for feedback and adjustments.
Nadia said various rules need to be clarified, such as limits on nicotine and tar, and rules on what substances in tobacco cannot be used as additives. As for the ban on the sale of cigarettes within 200 meters of schools or children’s playgrounds, the details of implementation will continue to be coordinated as they will be implemented at different locations.
Imelda, director of regional legal products at the Ministry of the Interior, said the implementation of PP 28 requires clear provisions, rules, and sanctions, and stressed the need for researchers to discuss technical implementation details with the relevant authorities to ensure effective implementation by local governments.
