Jakarta’s tobacco smoking ban largely ignored

Although it has been in place for a decade, a bylaw banning tobacco smoking in public places in Jakarta, Indonesia, is not enforced effectively and so is ignored by many smokers, according to a story in The Jakarta Post.

This is despite the fact that those found to have violated the bylaw are liable to a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment or a fine of up to Rp50 million (US$3,856).

Daryatmo, of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI), said the prohibition of smoking in public places had made little impression on the general public and that the administration should enact a concerted campaign to raise awareness of the ban.

He said places such as railway stations and bus terminals should have large, visible banners reminding passengers of the ban, and should make regular reminders via the intercom system.

And it was important to employ at railway stations and terminals people whose job it was to watch for violations.

“Sadly, I don’t think that many officials working in public places are very interested in enforcing the smoking ban,” Daryatmo said.

However, he added that, having disseminated information on smoking restrictions, the city administration should begin to enforce the bylaw by imposing criminal punishments on violators, he added.