Indonesia minister sees no need to ratify FCTC

Despite calls by health advocates for the Indonesian government to ratify the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Industry Minister Saleh Husin said on Nov. 19 that the government “does not need to adopt and ratify [the FCTC], ” according to a report Antara. Husin said existing regulations are adequate to monitor and control the national cigarette industry.

Husin said his ministry is currently formulating a roadmap for the tobacco industry to estimate cigarette production in 2015-2019. He expressed hope that the roadmap would “serve as a reference for related ministries, such as the ministry of agriculture for the formulation of a strategy for tobacco and clove production, the finance ministry for excise, and the ministry of health for matters related to public health”