Smoker Prevalence Remains High, Government Needs A New Approach

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) recently released by the Health Development Policy Agency (BKPK) of the Ministry of Health revealed that the prevalence of adult smokers in Indonesia remains high, especially when compared to other countries.

Even though the government has rolled out a number of policies to reduce the number of smokers, the prevalence of smoking remains high in society. Are there any approaches taken less effectively?

For example, excise policies that target cigarette consumers. How not, in recent years, tobacco excise revenues in Indonesia have continued to increase significantly. Unfortunately, this increase in revenue is not accompanied by a significant decrease in the number of smokers.

In this regard, the Center for Market Education (CME) in its report "An Innovation Agenda for the Government of Indonesia" stated that although tobacco excise revenues increased by an average of 5.4 percent per year over the past eight years, cigarette sales volume only decreased by 1.1% in the same period.

This shows that the tax mechanism, which charges lower rates on cheaper tobacco products, is ineffective in encouraging smokers to quit. Therefore, according to economist from CME Dr. Carmelo Ferlito, it is time for the government to consider the Tobacco harm reduction perspective as part of policy making.

"Indonesia can follow the example of countries that have succeeded in reducing the prevalence of smoking, such as the UK, Sweden, and even the Philippines that impose risk-based policies where alternative products such as e-cigarettes and vapes are subject to taxes that are different from conventional cigarettes, in accordance with the risks posed," he said, in a written statement, Tuesday, August 20.

According to him, financial incentives are an important motivator for smokers to switch to a lower risk alternative. Indonesia can also take advantage of opportunities for innovation that are still wide open in this sector.