Indonesia's Tobacco-Producing Provinces Threatened by the Health Bill

According to a report by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia produced 225,700 tons of tobacco in 2022, an 8% decrease year-on-year (yoy).

In 2022, only 14 provinces were recorded as producing tobacco. East Java was the largest producer, with output reaching 100,600 tons, or approximately 45% of national production.

Nusa Tenggara Barat and Central Java followed, with production volumes as shown in the chart above.

Currently, tobacco farmers are facing threats due to a proposed policy that equates tobacco products with narcotics.

This proposal is included in Article 154 of the draft Health Bill, which states:

(1) The production, distribution, and use of addictive substances are directed to avoid disrupting and endangering the health of individuals, families, communities, and the environment.

(2) Addictive substances as referred to in paragraph (1) include all materials or products that are addictive and whose use can cause harm to themselves and/or society.

(3) Addictive substances as referred to in paragraph (2) may include:

a. Narcotics;
b. Psychotropics;
c. Alcoholic beverages;
d. Tobacco products; and
e. Processed products of other addictive substances.

This article has been criticized by several parties, including Kiai Mahbub Ma'afi, Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board's Bahtsul Masail Institution.

Kiai Mahbub believes that Article 154 of the Health Bill potentially threatens the economy of tobacco farmers.

"This (Health) Bill is controversial because there is one part that explicitly equates processed tobacco products with other addictive substances, such as psychotropics, narcotics, and alcohol," said Kiai Mahbub, as reported on the official PBNU website on Monday (8/5/2023).

"So, if they plant tobacco, it's like being categorized as planting narcotics or marijuana," he continued.

A similar view was expressed by Nur Kholis, Deputy Chairman of the PBNU Legal Aid and Advocacy Institution (LPBH), who is also a former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).

"Six million people are heavily reliant on the tobacco industry. Where is the solution to the problem if the jobs and livelihoods of these six million people are threatened by this law?" said Nur Kholis.