In Yogyakarta It Is Increasingly Difficult To Find Cigarette Advertisements Outdoors

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The Yogyakarta City Government will be selective in granting permission to place cigarette advertisements in outdoor media in an effort to reduce the number of outdoor cigarette advertisements.

"The placement of cigarette advertisements outside will be carried out selectively to reduce the number. We are preparing strategic steps," said Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor Heroe Poerwadi on the sidelines of the 2021 National Health Day commemoration in Yogyakarta, Friday, November 12, quoted from Antara.

The Yogyakarta City Government already has regulations regarding the placement of cigarette advertisements in outdoor media according to regional regulations regarding non-smoking areas and these provisions need to be strengthened.

The Yogyakarta City Government has accepted the proposal not to place cigarette advertisements on protocol streets.

“During the current pandemic, the number of outdoor advertisements has decreased. This is an opportunity to continue to reduce the number of outdoor cigarette advertisements," he said.

Heroe is worried that the placement of cigarette advertisements in outdoor media and social media can massively increase the number of novice smokers in Yogyakarta.

“Even today, it is estimated that the number of children who become smokers is increasing. One of them is caused by the massive placement of cigarette advertisements outside the room," he said.

Based on Regional Regulation Number 2 of 2017 concerning Non-Smoking Areas, in the city of Yogyakarta there are eight areas designated as non-smoking areas, namely health services, educational places, children's playgrounds, places of worship, public transportation, workplaces, tourist attractions, and places of interest. otherwise specified.

Nevertheless, Heroe said, the city government has not implemented fines or criminal sanctions for violators of the rules regarding no-smoking areas.

"No party has been sanctioned, including a maximum fine of Rp. 7.5 million, which has not been applied, it is only limited to persuasion," he said.

The Yogyakarta City Government has mobilized businesses and the public to implement regulations regarding no-smoking areas, including ensuring that businesses have separate rooms for smokers and establishing a smoke-free RW.

Based on data from the Yogyakarta City Health Office, currently 231 of the approximately 600 RWs in the city of Yogyakarta have become non-smoking RWs.

"The evaluation of the implementation is carried out in each region through the village and sub-district. Even during this pandemic, we remind you that smoking can increase the risk of contracting COVID-19," said the Head of Public Health of the Yogyakarta City Health Office, Yudiria Amelia.