The Indonesian government has issued new regulations: the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes is prohibited within 200 meters of educational institutions

The Indonesian government has issued new regulations: the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes is prohibited within 200 meters of educational institutions

The Indonesian government has issued new regulations prohibiting the sale of tobacco and e-cigarette products within 200 meters of schools and children's playgrounds. The new regulations also restrict the sale of tobacco products to those under 21 and pregnant women, and prohibit the retail sale of single cigarettes.

According to Lifestyle.Bisnis on July 29, the Indonesian government prohibits vendors from selling cigarettes and e-cigarettes around schools and children's playgrounds.

This regulation was enacted by the government in Article 434 of Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 on the ban on the sale of tobacco and e-cigarette products. This regulation aims to reduce the number of underage smokers in Indonesia.

The regulation states that "no one shall sell tobacco and e-cigarette products within 200 meters of educational institutions and children's playgrounds." In addition, the regulation prohibits convenience stores and kiosks from selling tobacco products to people under 21 and pregnant women.

In addition, the law prohibits the retail sale of single cigarettes, except for cigars and e-cigarette products.

The government also stipulates that convenience stores and kiosks shall not place tobacco and e-cigarette products at the entrance and exit of the store or in places where they are frequently passed.

Currently, the smoking rate in Indonesia is on the rise. According to the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) 2023 Health Survey (SKI) data, the number of smokers in Indonesia is estimated to reach 70 million, of which 7.4% are smokers aged 10 to 18 years old.

The smoking rate among adolescents and children has increased most significantly. According to the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data, the smoking rate among students aged 13 to 15 increased from 18.3% in 2016 to 19.2% in 2019. The data from SKI 2023 also showed that the 15 to 19 age group had the most smokers, accounting for 56.5%, followed by 10 to 14 years old, accounting for 18.4%.