99% of Indonesian Tobacco Production Comes from Smallholder Farms

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

In 2022, approximately 99.6% of national tobacco production came from smallholder farms, i.e., farms managed by communities with small-scale or household businesses.

The remaining 0.4% originated from large-scale plantations, commercially managed by legally incorporated companies, comprising State-Owned Large Plantations (PBN) and Private Large Plantations (PBS), both national and foreign.

Currently, tobacco farmers are facing threats due to proposed policies equating 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 addictive materials or products whose use can cause harm to oneself and/or society.

(3) Addictive substances as referred to in paragraph (2) can be:

1. Narcotics;
2. Psychotropics;
3. Alcoholic beverages;
4. Tobacco products; and
5. 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) Institute for Bahtsul Masail.

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

"This (Health) Bill is controversial because one part 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 Institute (LPBH), who is also a former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).

"Six million people heavily rely 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.