All the people here in Indonesia have known about Indonesian smoking behavior. It is very unstoppable. Yet some people still trying to put a halt of this matter. The regulation about smoking and tobacco does not mean anything to the industry. They had their own way in economics benefit. The latest issue is about UN Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Indonesia is the only Southeast Asian country not to have ratified the convention. (Read: Govt urged to ratify antitobacco convention on Jakarta Post)
I used to be a addictive smoker a year ago. First of all, I personally stopped to consume it due to health problems. Before quitting permanently, I ensure that decision has to be reasonable, to me and to the society. I conducted small-scale research about the policy of Indonesian tobacco industry. Unfortunately, the government reason of supporting the tobacco industry is on behalf of the prosperity of tobacco farmers. Yet the government’s fear of high unemployment seems to make no sense to me. Because, most of the farmers below the poverty line. But, I remained to smoke even felt doubt.
Sex, Lies & Cigarettes: Vanguard Sneak Peek, a documentary film about Indonesian tobacco industry made my decision became almost final. From that documentary, I found the rapid penetration of smoker. The target market was segmented. The student smoker could buy the cigarette by the price of a single item. It was very cheap, from 500,- rupiahs until 1000,- rupiahs. The harsh reality that I had to accept is every school in Indonesia has their cigarette store. Not inside the school, it is nearby the school. You may re-check it if you want to!
