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Jakarta floats stricter rules on smoking in public
The governor is fully behind the draft rule, which includes two types of smoke-free zones and contains a raft of clearly defined sanctions that can go up to 50 million (US$3,000) depending on the severity of the offense.
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Smokescreen: A volunteer talks to a minimarket cashier about the dangers of cigarettes during a campaign against child smokers in Cengkareng, West Jakarta on March 7, 2021. The campaign aims to accelerate the government’s target to reduce child smokers to 8.7 percent of the smoking population in 2024. (Antara/Muhammad Iqbal)
T
he city administration is currently drafting a new regulation to tighten restrictions on smoking in public spaces in an aim to protect the public from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke, especially vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said the main goal of the new regulation was to restrict smoking in crowded public spaces, such as office buildings and shopping malls.
"We are not imposing a total ban on smoking in these establishments, but we will provide designated smoking areas," he said on Thursday, adding that city councilors had endorsed a plan to extend smoking restrictions to entertainment venues including karaoke lounges, nightclubs and live music cafés.
The governor pointed out that a similar regulation had been implemented successfully in major global cities such as Tokyo, Seoul and San Jose, California.
“These policies have proven effective in creating cleaner and healthier public spaces and in minimizing the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on nonsmokers,” he said.
The draft regulation also outlines sanctions for students caught smoking, whether on school grounds or in public spaces. Proposed penalties include the termination of city-sponsored scholarships for registered beneficiaries of the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) Plus program.
In addition to restricting smoking in public spaces, the draft regulation contains public education and awareness strategies on the dangers of smoking. These efforts include collaborations with public figures, nongovernmental organizations and digital influencers, as well as coordinating with workers at Puskesmas (community health centers).
