Indonesia Targets June 2025 for Setting Nicotine/Tar Limits, Plans Wider Controls
Youth Smoking Reduction Goals Drive New Measures Including Plain Packaging
The Indonesian government aims to finalize maximum nicotine and tar level standards for cigarettes by June 2025, with implementation slated for June 2026. This initiative, coordinated by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, is part of a broader strategy under the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029 to significantly reduce smoking prevalence among young people aged 10-21.
Benget Saragih, Head of the Ministry of Health’s Tobacco Control Team, outlined ambitious targets: reducing youth smoking prevalence nationally to 12.4% in 2025 and ultimately to 8.4% by 2029. Achieving this requires substantial provincial-level reductions.
Several supporting measures are being implemented or planned under existing regulations (like PP 28/2024):
- Banning certain additives in tobacco products.
- Prohibiting smoking for individuals under 21, with ID checks required for purchases and potential parental notification for violations.
- Banning the sale of single cigarettes (“batangan”), as surveys show high usage by minors.
- Restricting cigarette sales within 200 meters of schools and advertising within 500 meters.
- Enhancing enforcement of smoke-free zones (7 designated areas) involving BPOM, the Ministry of Trade, and local governments.
- Increasing the size of Pictorial Health Warnings (PHW) on packs from 40% to 50%, with this requirement extending to electronic cigarettes from June 2026.
- Introducing standardized (plain) packaging for cigarettes, using uniform colors to reduce appeal while retaining brand/logo information.
- Establishing a task force to monitor tobacco advertising.
- Providing smoking cessation support services.
These comprehensive measures aim to decrease the accessibility and attractiveness of tobacco and nicotine products, particularly for Indonesia’s youth.