Regulations
The tobacco industry is up in arms over a new set of rules that could cover everything from packaging and tar and nicotine content to additives, not least because of a lack of clarity from the government for the past two years until its issuance deadline on Sunday.
A worker shows hand-rolled ‘kretek’ (clove cigarettes) on Jan. 4, 2024, at a cigarette factory in Kudus, Central Java. (Antara/Yusuf Nugroho)
Industry groups and business players are threatening to protest over sweeping new controls on tobacco products set to be issued on Sunday, warning they could trigger mass layoffs, hurt sales and boost illicit trade.The implementing regulations for Government Regulation (PP) No. 28/2024 on health are expected to be issued on July 26, when the two-year deadline for their issuance expires.
At least three provisions have raised concerns among tobacco companies: a rule on plain packaging, limits on tar and nicotine and a ban on certain additives, according to the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo).
