Jakarta. Governor Pramono Anung announced on Saturday that all entertainment venues in Jakarta will be required to provide designated smoking areas, as the city seeks to strike a balance between public health and business sustainability.

The statement comes as the Jakarta administration and the provincial legislature are finalizing a new draft regulation on smoke-free areas. While the policy aims to restrict smoking in public places, Pramono stressed that it should not result in a sharp decline in visitors to entertainment businesses.

“Smoking will be prohibited in public places, but all entertainment venues -- such as bars, karaoke lounges, and nightclubs -- must provide special areas for smokers,” Pramono said. “For instance, smoking inside karaoke rooms will not be allowed, but separate smoking rooms must be available.”

He underscored that the regulation must not negatively affect small and medium enterprises that depend on the entertainment and nightlife sectors.

The draft bill proposes a comprehensive smoking ban in 10 types of locations, including healthcare facilities, schools and universities, places of worship, children’s playgrounds, public transportation, and sports facilities.

To strengthen enforcement, Pramono also introduced additional measures, including the formation of a dedicated task force, the installation of airborne nicotine detection tools, and the establishment of a public reporting system for violations.

The governor said the city will also regulate the sale of cigarettes through zoning restrictions, which will ban tobacco sales within a 200-meter radius of schools, playgrounds, places of worship, and healthcare centers.

Digital tobacco advertisements will also face tighter monitoring. “We must swiftly regulate online cigarette promotions and enforce digital penalties to prevent their exposure to young audiences,” he said.

The regulation is part of a broader initiative to create a child-friendly and smoke-free Jakarta.

Separately, Pramono earlier warned that students caught smoking in schools or public places risk losing their Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) Plus benefits, a financial aid program that supports underprivileged students with monthly stipends for school-related expenses. He said this sanction would be formalized in the upcoming regulation.

Indonesia is home to one of the largest smoking populations in the world. According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), the number of active smokers has reached an estimated 70 million, with 7.4 percent aged between 10 and 18.

Youth smoking rates are rising. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) reported that smoking prevalence among children aged 13–15 increased from 18.3 percent in 2016 to 19.2 percent in 2019. The 2023 SKI data revealed that 56.5 percent of smokers are aged 15–19, while 18.4 percent are between 10 and 14.

Add as a preferred source on Google +