Ahok's Promise to Eliminate Smoking Rooms in Malls in Today's Memory, May 3, 2013

Prohibition of smoking in public transportation. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA – Today’s memory, 12 years ago, May 3, 2013, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) promised to eliminate smoking rooms in malls. Anyone who does not follow the rules, the mall’s certificate of fitness for function will be revoked.

Previously, Ahok considered that dealing with the cigarette problem in Jakarta was not difficult. Ahok saw that smokers could be reduced by narrowing their space. That narrative made Ahok start to widen the smoking ban space, from public spaces to shopping centers.

Controlling cigarette consumption was once seriously discussed during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) administration. That seriousness was present through Government Regulation Number 109 of 2012 concerning the protection of materials containing addictive substances in the form of tobacco products for health.

The presence of that regulation became the most discussed end-of-year gift of 2012. One of its points was an appeal to all regional heads to prohibit smoking activities in public spaces. The government regulation regarding cigarettes gave rise to pros and cons.

Those who are in favor feel that regulations related to cigarettes can reduce the harm of cigarette smoke. Those who are against reveal that SBY's regulations are considered to bring bad winds to the tobacco industry which often contributes large income to the country.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) who was once Deputy Governor in the 2012-2014 period. (ANTARA)

The controversy related to government regulations continues to roll. However, the DKI Jakarta government continues to carry out the government's appeal. Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahok is happy to continue the mandate of the central government.

He emphasized that efforts to ban smoking are not difficult. He believes that smokers can be conquered by narrowing the movement of smokers. Ahok realized this narrative by starting to reduce smoking spaces.

Special smoking spaces indoors are starting to be prohibited. He considers the presence of smoking rooms to be a disaster. All because cigarette smoke never really goes away.

"I just follow it. We will increase the number of places where people cannot smoke. Even if we make a non-smoking room, it will still leak, like on a plane if you want to smoke in the back, but the (passengers) in front still feel it. The same goes for the toilet. So it's better not to have any, if you want to smoke, you have to do it outside," said Ahok as quoted by detik.com, January 9, 2013.

Ahok's desire to narrow down the smoking area is getting more serious. Ahok has started to prepare other breakthroughs. He also promised to eliminate smoking areas in malls on May 3, 2013. Ahok considers smoking areas in malls to bring many harms.

Ahok also threatened mall owners who are later found to still provide smoking rooms in the mall. Ahok will revoke the certificate of proper functioning.

In addition, Ahok will conduct socialization regarding the rules prohibiting smoking in public spaces. He considers the steps he has taken will benefit many people. Then, there is no reason for Jakarta residents to smoke carelessly in the future.

"We also don't want to provide smoking rooms, people who want to smoke must go outside. So if you have a mall, there are still people allowed to smoke in it, it means your certificate of proper functioning will be revoked, an evaluation must be carried out," said Ahok at the City Hall as quoted by the tribunnews.com page, May 3, 2013.