Based on a report by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), in March 2022, 2.76% of the Indonesian population aged 5 and above regularly consumed electronic cigarettes daily.
Urban areas had a larger population of electronic cigarette consumers, with a percentage of 2.81%, compared to 2.7% in rural areas.
The highest proportion of electronic cigarette consumers was found in Jambi Province, with a percentage of 3.27%.
A significant number of electronic cigarette consumers were also found in West Java, Riau, East Java, Bangka Belitung Islands, West Sulawesi, Riau Islands, Banten, South Kalimantan, and Bengkulu, with percentages as shown in the graph.
Starting next year, consumers will have to prepare to spend more money to buy electronic cigarettes. The government will increase the excise tax on cigarettes, which will result in higher product prices.
"Today, it was also decided to increase the excise tax on electronic cigarettes, namely an average of 15% for electronic cigarettes and 6% for other processed tobacco products (HTPL). This will increase by 15% annually for the next 5 years," said Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani in her press release on Thursday (3/11/2022).
Sri Mulyani emphasized that this excise tax increase aims to reduce the number of smokers and improve public health.
"In previous years, we increased the excise tax on cigarettes, which caused cigarette prices to increase, thus reducing the affordability of cigarettes. Therefore, it is hoped that consumption will decrease," she said.