The smoking ban in Indonesia
by : Mauliya Risalaturrohmah (2111004)
Smoking act is a widespread phenomenon and an accepted cultural
habit for a lot of Indonesian people. It has become part of most Indonesian
people’s lives. Currently, Indonesia is not able to be separated from smoking
because it has pierced into almost all aspects of life, such as education,
tourism, economics, etc. And cigarette makers hold the extensive control in
this aspect. For example, from the aspect of education, many cigarette
companies bring some benefits to the nation. It has given scholarships to high
achieving students as well as students who are not able to, such as, Djarum
Plus and Djarum Foundation Scholarship Programs. In this case cigarette
companies have shown good program which make education in Indonesia being
highly developed. However, it still has some negative impact to our society.
For example, in the social aspect, everyone can smoke anytime and everywhere.
Even it can be done by people who are women or men, child or adult. It is not
taboo. In fact, at a provincial level, 29.7% of adolescents over 10 years
old are active smokers in Aceh Province. The level of
cigarette smoking among smokers in Aceh (19 cigarettes per day) is also higher
than the average national rate (12 cigarettes per day). Looking for this
situation, the government makes good decisions and judgments for decreasing
that acts. So, to develop the quality of life in this country, the government of
Indonesia imposes the strict rules on smoking.
The first, it can be regarded from economic side. As we know
smoking is only wasting money since the smokers have to pay a cigarette for
smoking even every day. Moreover it is very dangerous for them. Their money
that they use to buy the cigarette is useless. For example, when buying a
cigarette, the cost of a cigarette is @ Rp 500. So, how much a pack of
cigarette is, also how much they will waste their money to buy a cigarette in a
week, in a year, and so on. Mostly the smokers spend cigarette a pack/day,
let’s calculate how much money the smokers need to buy cigarette in a year, for
instance, cigarette cost is 10.000/pack. 10.000 times 30 days means 300.000.
Then 300.000 times 12 month means that they need 3.600.000. It is very
fantastic number if they only used the money for buying a cigarette. Moreover
the addicted smokers who spend one pack more in a day. They will use their
money only for consuming it. They will spend much more money. As we all know,
smoker is not only from people who have worked but also student. Students have
recognized what cigarette it is. Even many students have smoked in public area
and worn uniform of their school. This condition will give a negative effect
for them. Besides, the cost of cigarette is expensive enough, it will make the
students do anything to get it, whether their money is halal or not. For
example, the student who likes smoking does not have money to buy it. Then, he
will deceive his parents to ask money. He may also say to his parents that
there is an assignment from his teacher that must spend money, even the most
terrific thing he will steal his parents’ money, or the student will dare to
ask money to the younger class in force. So, the government has to ban
Indonesian people to smoke especially for the students.
The second, it can be regarded from the law side. Several constitutions in Indonesia have been issued about this.
Based on the constitution no 75 year 2005, in the constitution district
governments DKI Jakarta explains that for the smokers who smoke in public area
will get a jail punishment for six months or pay fine as big as 50 million. We
can imagine it. Because of consuming cigarette and smoking in public area
people who smoke will get a punishment in jail. I think it is a relevant
sanction because if our government does not apply this law, people will keep
smoking wherever they like. Our societies will also continue to smoke anywhere,
such as, in hospital, supermarket, book store, bars, restaurants, streets,
parks, and bus stations and so on. Therefore, the strict role of smoking is
really needed for this country.
The third, it
can reduce the death risk of the smokers
whether they are active or passive smoking.
As we know smoking can cause various
health problems, even resulting in premature death or disability.
Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease) are the major diseases caused by smoking. Smoking also increases the
risk of erectile dysfunction, infertility, miscarriage, cataracts, and stroke.
Passive smokers have the same risk suffering these health problems as the
active ones (Brandt, 2005). A cigarette is not only made of dried tobacco
leaves, but also made of other additional substances to enhance the flavor.
Most of these additional substances are unsafe to be consumed. According to
WHO, tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and 60 of them are known or
suspected carcinogenic substances (McKay & Eriksen, 2002, pp. 32-33). Then,
tobacco smoke is an air pollutant and contains various dangerous chemical
substances which intoxicated surrounding air of smokers. Inhaling the smoke
increases the risk of suffering various diseases that are suffered not only by
the active smokers, but also by the passive smokers. Exposure of tobacco smoke
to pregnant woman impacts both mother and the unborn child, which subsequently
lead to higher incidence of miscarriage, sudden infant death, low birth weight,
and a reduction in head circumference at birth. People with certain health
condition such as asthma are susceptible to tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke can
trigger asthma attacks and worsen the condition. In Indonesia itself, ±200,000
people died of cause of smoking-related diseases every year. Smoking is
responsible for a quarter of deaths in 2005 and 80% of lung and respiratory
cancer cases (NACS Online, 2009). By the enforcement of smoking ban, it is
hoped that the air quality in public places will get better and thus reduce the
negative effect of tobacco smoking to passive smokers especially those with
certain health condition.
In conclusion, smoking can
kill anyone who related to it anytime. Remember that this world would be a
better place without cigarettes especially in Indonesia. Hence, smoking ban in
public places is needed to be implemented in Indonesia and to be imposed strictly
to ensure passive smokers to live healthy. It can also protect the children and
adolescents from harmful thing.
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