Jakarta. In an effort to reduce smoking rates in Indonesia, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has signed Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024, which implements Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health.

This new regulation bans the sale of individual tobacco products, with exceptions for cigars and electronic cigarettes. It also mandates that tobacco packaging must contain at least 20 cigarettes and restricts sliced tobacco packaging to a maximum of 50 grams. Currently, cigarette packs vary in content, including 12, 16, and 20 cigarettes.

Small shops often sell cigarettes individually for as little as Rp 2,000 per stick, making them easily accessible to teens. This regulation aims to deter teenagers from purchasing cigarettes by making them more expensive thus reducing their appeal to first-time smokers.

The regulation includes several key measures:

• Ban on Sales Near Schools and Play Areas: Tobacco and e-cigarettes cannot be sold within 200 meters of educational institutions and children's play areas.
• Ban on Online Sales: Tobacco products and e-cigarettes cannot be sold through websites, apps, or social media, though valid age verification can exempt online sales.
• Focus on Healthcare: The regulation aims to improve access to quality healthcare, especially for underserved communities, and enhance healthcare facilities and personnel in remote areas.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin supports the regulation, highlighting its role in strengthening Indonesia's healthcare system.

According to the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023, smoking among 10-18-year-olds has decreased to 7.4 percent from 9.1 percent in 2018, though it remains above the 5.4 percent target set in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

The survey also notes a shift from conventional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, with usage rising from 0.06 percent in 2018 to 0.13 percent in 2023. The highest smoking initiation age is 15-19 years at 56.5 percent, followed by 10-14 years at 18.4 percent.