Press Smoking Prevalence, Indonesia Needs an Example of England Using Alternative Tobacco Products

JAKARTA - A number of associations encourage the government to start adopting the Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) approach as a more progressive strategy in reducing the prevalence of smoking in Indonesia. This approach focuses on reducing health risks through the use of alternative tobacco products for adult smokers who find it difficult to quit completely.

This practice has been implemented in the UK, which has consistently integrated alternative tobacco products into its national tobacco control policy. Examples of alternative tobacco products include electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

The British government is running the "Swap to Stop" program as part of a public health strategy to help adult smokers switch from cigarettes through the THR approach. Through this program, adult smokers get free vape and assistance so that the transition process is directed and measurable. As a result, based on data from the Annual Population Survey (APS), the UK managed to reduce the prevalence of smoking from 11.1 percent in 2023 to 10.6 percent in 2024.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Free TAR Coalition (KABAR) Ariyo Bimmo, said that if the purpose of public policy is to reduce the high prevalence of smoking in Indonesia, then a risk-based approach must be used consistently. Because, based on various scientific facts both at home and abroad reveal that alternative tobacco products, such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, have a much lower risk than cigarettes.

"When a lower-risk alternative is completely closed, it basically 'locks' smokers. I never said that electronic cigarettes are a magical solution, but within the framework of THR, it is one of the transition tools for adult smokers. Closing this option without a clear replacement policy design has the potential to hinder the target of reducing smoking prevalence," explained Ariyo, Friday, April 24.

Ariyo assessed that Indonesia needs to open space for a controlled and directed switching process for adult smokers, instead of closing all access to alternative tobacco products. He cited the UK as a relevant approach because the policies implemented are comprehensive. The use of alternative products is supported by regulations, quality control, and protection for vulnerable groups.

"Should Indonesia copy it raw? No, but we can take an important lesson. There must be strict protection for children and non-smokers as well as strong product quality supervision," he said.

In line with Ariyo, the Chairman of the Indonesian Vape Consumer Association (AKVINDO), Paido Siahaan, said Indonesia could learn the approach applied by the UK in utilizing alternative products to reduce the prevalence of smoking. However, he emphasized that the implementation could not be done directly. Its implementation needs to be adjusted to the national context, both in terms of regulation, community characteristics, and strengthening the supervision system.

In his view, the discourse on banning is actually contrary to efforts to reduce the prevalence of smoking. The reason is that electronic cigarettes are an alternative to switching from smoking habits for adult smokers. Therefore, Paido encourages targeted enforcement of laws against the rampant misuse of electronic cigarettes, not by banning them altogether.

AKVINDO takes concrete steps by encouraging consumers to buy electronic cigarettes from official stores, ensuring that products have clear origins, and rejecting unlicensed or unlicensed products. The education aspect is also strengthened for consumers and the public that illegal vaping is a real threat.

"This approach is in line with the steps of other vape associations who have recently also encouraged age restrictions, identity verification, and consumer education for public protection," he said.

Paido continued that his party was open to discussing with various stakeholders, including the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) to collaborate and answer various problems in the field. This collaboration is of course with an approach that emphasizes facts, data, and scientific foundations so that the solutions produced are targeted and effective.

"For us, this issue of abuse must be discussed with facts and evidence, not with misleading opinions or generalizations that can actually harm consumers and obscure the focus of the main problem, namely the circulation of illegal products that are abused," concluded Paido.