Indonesia. Demonstration against plain packaging of cigarettes in France

Source from:  tobaccoleaf.org 06/19/2015

Hundreds of Indonesian tobacco farmers protested on Tuesday in Jakarta against the introduction of plain packaging of cigarettes in France.

The demonstrators denounced "discrimination" against the cigarette "economically and symbolically important" for Indonesia.

Responding to the call of the Association of Indonesian tobacco farmers, representing about two million people in the country, protesters gathered in front of the French Embassy exhibited a large banner "Plain packaging - Against !! ".

The protesters carried small posters suggesting that Indonesia could replicate adopting plain packaging bottles on alcohol for French wines and spirits sold in this Southeast Asian country.

A symbol for Indonesia

"France has engaged in discrimination against a product that is both economically and symbolically important for Indonesia, since the livelihoods of more than six million Indonesians depend on the tobacco sector, particularly producers tobacco, "says the association in an open letter to the ambassador of France in Jakarta, according to a statement.

"We fully support our government in considering the introduction of plain packaging for alcoholic beverages that are important to the French wine industry, champagne and spirits, as a form of retaliation," said the association.

Neutral package in 2016

In France, the choice of neutral package, including the brand name, that will however continue to appear in small print, was adopted in April by MEPs. It triggered an outcry from tobacco, threatening legal action, and tobacconists, who launched an awareness campaign.

Besides France, other European countries have engaged in this direction, including Ireland. Australia is the first country to have opted for the neutral pack of cigarettes, in force since late 2012.

36% of smokers

Indonesia has challenged the decision before the World Trade Organization (WTO), which has not yet adjudicate, according to the statement.

Indonesia has a large number of smokers, approximately 36% of the population aged over 15 years, according to a recent study. The price of cigarettes is low compared to many other countries. A package of a popular brand costs 12,000 rupiah (about 70 cents). Enditem