Discourse Of The Increase In Tobacco Excise, Electric Cigarette Entrepreneurs Ask The Government To Relax

Photo: VOI/Mery Handayani

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Nikotin Introduction Entrepreneurs Association (APPNINDO) has requested the relaxation of e-cigarettes or vape following the plan to increase tobacco excise (CHT) next year. Currently, the government is still conducting studies. APPNINDO chairman Teguh B Ariwibowo said the electric cigarette industry (REL) and other tobacco processing products (HPTL) in Indonesia are still relatively small. So, according to him, we need to get business facilities. "We convey it to relevant stakeholders for relaxation. In that sense, this industry is still small, it still needs to be facilitated, given a relaxation room," he said, at the Office of the Ministry of Industry, Jakarta, Thursday, November 3.

Teguh said that by being given relaxation, he hoped that this industry could grow even more. Especially after going through the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which has made people's purchasing power begin to recover. "From there, we can see how much actual growth from REL and HPTL is for next year," he said. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Hokkop T.I Situngkir Organizational Vape Consumer (KONVO) argues that the plan to increase CHT next year has worried that it will have an impact on the price of e-cigarettes. "Many consumers in Indonesia feel that using electric cigarettes are more efficient. If prices can be controlled properly, consumers will be comfortable," he said. For your information, the government has not determined the increase in cigarette excise rate in 2023. As for 2022, the average cigarette excise rate rose by 12 percent.