Indonesia bans smoking in public transport

Indonesian Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan has ordered a smoking ban on board all forms of public transportation and pledged strict punishment for violators, reports The Jakarta Globe.

In a decree issued last week, Jonan instructed that all public transportation vehicles were no-smoking premises. He also specified that there were no exemptions, including for bus drivers, who continue to flout a Jakarta bylaw against smoking inside buses.

“The transportation operators on duty are not allowed to smoke inside the vehicle, and if they are found to have broken the rules while on duty, firm sanctions will be imposed,” ministry spokesman Julius. A. Barata said on Wednesday.