Association Asks Government To Separate Conventional Cigarette Regulations From Electric

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Vaporezer Personal Association (APVI) asked the government to separate the distinguishing arrangements between electric and conventional cigarettes based on the difference in risk profiles owned by the two products.

APVI Secretary General Garindra Kartasmita, in Tangerang, Banten, Thursday, July 18, said that his party would commit to working with the government to develop quality standards and provide proper education to the public.

However, in this case, the government must also consider issuing regulations based on differences in the risk profile owned by both of them.

"Regarding the Draft Government Regulation (RPP) of Health, in principle we (APVI) want our industry to be regulated. However, we do not want to be banned. All regulations made by the government must consider the health risk profile with a good study," said Garindra, after attending the commemoration of the National Vape Day in Tangerang. that too, quoted from Antara.

According to him, e-cigarettes are an alternative product that is significantly different from conventional cigarettes in general, both in terms of how they are used and the health impact. Thus, the government needs to revise and distinguish the provisions of the rules that classify these e-cigarette products.

"We will certainly help the government in providing education to the public regarding the risk profile of electric and conventional cigarettes," he said again.

He revealed, as a commitment to support the government, APVI has ensured that e-cigarette products will only be sold to adults, not to minors, non-cigarettes, as well as pregnant and lactating women.

In addition, APVI as an association of business actors, emphasized that the quality of the products produced and distributed to consumers for these marketed alternative tobacco products has gone through a strict quality control process to meet security standards as a form of consumer protection.

"We ensure that the target of this alternative tobacco is only for the age group of 18 years and over. And how to use it, we can also socialize it well," he said again.

Until now, his party is still coordinating with the government through the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag), and Customs and Excise as a discussion of research on differences in risk profiles between electric and conventional cigarettes.

"We are very optimistic that through this study we can prove that e-cigarettes can be an alternative for people using cigarettes who want to reduce their risk levels," he said.

The government is currently ratifying government regulations (PP) containing derivative regulations related to the implementation of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health.

"God willing, Mr. President will soon be able to issue it. Yes (this month)," said Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin, when met after World Tobaccoless Day activities in Jakarta.

Minister of Health Budi revealed a number of things that are regulated, including related to tobacco and its derivative products, such as several regulations related to electronic cigarettes or vapes that include allowed periods, age limits for buyers and users, as well as their place of sale.

In addition, said the Minister of Health, also several regulations related to cigarette product advertisements such as advertising sizes and rules regarding the minimum distance to placing cigarette advertisements from schools are also part of this regulation.

"Because this is about, we see a lot of young smokers, it's also regulated," said the Minister of Health.