Indonesia: Demonstration, Protesters Demand Realization on No Smoking Area Rules

Source from:  beritajakarta.com (Jakarta Provincial Government) (id)  05/20/2013

Hundreds of masses incorporated in Indonesia University hold a demonstration in HI Roundabout, Sunday (5/19). They demand the government to immediately realize and run the zone rules of no smoking area in public places.

Adi Sasongko, one of protesters, who is also a lecturer at Faculty of Public Health (FKM-UI) said the government has set a ban on no smoking in public places as those listed in Jakarta Governor Regulation No. 55/2012 about Law Enforcement on No Smoking Area. However, the regulation is only as the rules, because it cannot be imposed in the field. "Such regulation is available and clear, but it cannot run up in the field," he told, Sunday (5/19).

Based on the survey of UI students, according to him, there are still a lot of public space that has not been free from cigarette smoke. Ironically, no one gives a warning to people who smoke in public places. "People may smoke, but not in public places. Due to existing right, every person has the right to not inhale cigarette smoke," he complained.

Sasongko added, his side had met Jakarta Health Department, Regional Environmental Management Agency (BPLHD), and Public Health Assistant, in order to discuss such matters. But they reasoned that could not impose the function of regulatory scrutiny on no smoking area due to lack of personnel and budgetary. "The budget should be prepared from the beginning, moreover the program has been drafted. This is only a matter of willingness," he said.

To run the no smoking area rules, the public must participate to urge the government to carry out the task. "The existing rules should also encourage people to have a sense of shame when smoking in public places," asserted Sasongko.

As known, Jakarta Provincial Government has drafted Governor Regulation No. 55/2012 about Law Enforcement on No Smoking Area. It explains that cigarette must not be exist in some public places, such as school, worship house, hospital, public transport, office, and shopping center.

Meanwhile in Bylaw No. 2/2005 about Air Pollution Control is also set sanctions for people who smoke in prohibited areas. The sanctions consist of six months and fine as much as Rp 50 million. Enditem