Controlling Cigarette Advertising, Satpol PP Targets Small Street Shops

Central Jakarta Satpol PP regulates cigarette advertisements/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio

JAKARTA - The Central Jakarta Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) has curbed 43 banners and posters advertising cigarettes in stalls and minimarkets in Central Jakarta. The inspection is a form of socialization of the prohibition of displaying cigarette content or advertisements.

Referring to the Governor's Appeal Number 8 of 2021 regarding the prohibition of traders from displaying cigarettes in shops or stalls and the prohibition of cigarette advertisements.

"Most of them are adverts. In the stalls there are, we'll take them out. We'll tell you what's in the minimarket, so don't be vulgar, close the cigarettes, don't be too flashy," said Head of Central Jakarta Satpol PP, Bernard Tambunan when contacted, Thursday 23 September.

Furthermore, said Bernard, despite aggressively carrying out curbs, there have been no sanctions for traders or minimarket managers who violate the Governor's Call.

"In the meantime, we are still socializing first. There has been no order to impose sanctions. Later when there is an order, we will impose sanctions," he said.

Based on data from the Central Jakarta Satpol PP, officers confiscated 1 banner, 20 cigarette display racks, 55 stickers, 5 billboards, 36 accessories, 1 LED screen, 7 banners and 37 cigarette advertising posters.

"All goods were confiscated from the results of the control in the sub-districts of Sawah Besar, Gambir, Senen, Cempaka Putih, Johar Baru, and Kemayoran," he said.

He will also carry out surveillance again to the stalls and minimarkets that have been investigated. If later found ads again then it will discipline again.

"Later, after the inspections are completed in eight sub-districts, we will follow up the previous store, turn it back," he said.

In implementing the Governor's Appeal, Bernard acknowledged the resistance from a number of owners.

"There are those who refuse, but we give understanding and the average understands and understands. No one is against," he said.

Regarding the inspection of the ban on cigarette content and advertisements in minimarkets, Bernard explained, all minimarket managers in Central Jakarta will coordinate the rules written in the Governor's Appeal.

"They asked for time to tidy up the cigarette displays themselves and they would be moved by themselves. They will coordinate with all minimarkets throughout DKI Jakarta," he said.