Cigarettes Are Prohibited From Selling Centrality, Commission IV: Don't Make It Difficult For Small People, Street Vendors And Hawkers Can Die

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JAKARTA - Commission IV of the DPR highlighted Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024, one of which regulates the issue of limiting tobacco sales. The DPR emphasized the importance of the Government's policy which must be pro-mall.

"The policies issued must think about benefiting the community, don't make it even more difficult for the small people," said Member of Commission IV DPR RI Daniel Johan, Thursday, August 1.

One of the contents in PP 28/2024 which is the implementing rule of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health is the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products or cigarettes in retail as stated in Article 434 paragraph 1c. Then Article 429 to 463 also regulates the prohibition of additional materials, restrictions on tar and nicotine in each cigarette.

Daniel also criticized the policy of prohibiting selling cigarettes in retail or centrality.

"The prohibition on selling cigarette products in retail can kill small traders who have a small business capital such as hawkers and street vendors," he said.

Although PP 28/2024 was issued to support public health, Daniel reminded that the rules made should be able to accommodate all parties. Especially for people with a low economy.

"Don't let the policies made burden the small people at a time when the current economic conditions are not doing well," said Daniel.

The legislator from the West Kalimantan I electoral district also questioned the Government's solution to community groups affected by this policy, such as tobacco farmers. Because, according to Daniel, a number of policies in PP 28/2024 are considered by some to have the potential to damage the democratic climate and reduce the Tobacco Products Industry (IHT).

"If the IHT climate is damaged, the impact will not only be on the community in general, but also on tobacco farmers who have been experiencing difficulties for some time," he explained.

In addition to the prohibition on selling retail cigarettes, PP 28/2024 also regulates restrictions on cigarette advertisements to packaging. Many articles in the regulation are considered to close the access of business actors and IHT activists.

So what is the anticipation of the impact on the small economy of the regulation? Because there are also many cigarette MSME industries that also pay excise costs. It's a pity, life is still difficult for tobacco farmers and micro industry players. They are getting more and more depressed," said Daniel.

Daniel also highlighted the issuance of PP 23/2024 which was carried out ahead of the tobacco harvest in all parts of Indonesia.

"Despite health issues, this regulation is a blow to our tobacco farmers, including tobacco industry business players who have contributed a lot to the country's economy," he explained.

Furthermore, Daniel asked the Government not to only focus on making policies for limited groups. He reminded the impacts that will be faced by small people such as tobacco farmers.

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"If the tobacco industry is sluggish, the impact will definitely be on farmers. There have been many rules that have put pressure on tobacco farmers, now it is increasing. The government must prioritize the welfare of tobacco farmers and related communities as well," said Daniel.

"Policies that limit tobacco production and sales can threaten the survival of farmers," he continued.

Daniel hopes that the Government will issue wise steps when issuing regulations. Especially for the real sector such as agriculture which is one of the working fields of Commission IV of the DPR.

"The balance between public health protection and support for the people's economic sector is the key to creating policies that are fair and sustainable. So we hope that there will be balance and justice when the policy is issued," said Daniel.

"The point is that if you make a regulation, you must prioritize the little people, see how the impact will be. The policy should not be issued only for the sake of the elite interest, especially for the sake of foreign hegemony," he concluded.