UNAIR NEWS – To date, more than 60 million Indonesians are active smokers. This number continues to increase from year to year, placing Indonesia with the third-highest number of active smokers in the world.
In this regard, the Tobacco Control Research Group, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga (FKM UNAIR) held a Training on the Implementation of Non-Smoking Area Regulations in Regencies/Cities in East Java. The training was a form of collaboration between FKM UNAIR and the Tobacco Control Support Center (TCSC), and the Indonesian Public Health Association (IAKMI) of East Java.
The activity was held at Swiss Belinn Hotel Surabaya on January 25, 2022. The event was attended by representatives from 12 regencies/cities in East Java. Among them were Trenggalek, Blitar, Lumajang, Sidoarjo, Madiun, Ngawi, Tuban, Lamongan, Gresik, Probolinggo, Batu, and Surabaya.
In the training, Alma Wiranta, SH., MSi (Han) was present as the first speaker. The Legal Department of the Bogor Government brought material on “Initial Concepts for Implementing Legal Action for Misdemeanor Regarding Non-Smoking Areas.” According to him, there are at least five regional regulations regarding Non-Smoking Areas (NSA) in Depok.
“The background of the emergence of NSA itself is to improve the degree of human health,” he said.
The second material was delivered by N. Lienda Ratnanurdianny, SH., M.Hum as the Head of the Civil Service Police Unit of the Depok Government. Lienda brought the material “Success Story: Implementation of Legal Action for Misdemeanor Regarding Non-Smoking Areas in Depok.”
In general, the implementation of NSA in Depok includes guidance, supervision, enforcement, and reporting. The forms of fostering NSA in Depok include disseminating information, coordinating with all agencies and elements of society, and building community participation and initiatives for healthy living.
“In addition, we also carry out NSA campaigns and action plans for the NSA Development Areas,” she explained.
The strategy for enforcing NSA during the COVID-19 pandemic is to intensify non-judicial enforcement. The enforcement is carried out with supervision and administrative sanctions. Meanwhile, judicial enforcement is temporarily suspended.
In the last session, Dr. Abdillah Ahsan, S.E., M.SE. explained “Utilization of Cigarette Tax Funds for the Implementation of Non-Smoking Areas.” According to him, the purpose of imposing excise is to control consumption and oversee the circulation of excisable goods.
“Meanwhile, the purpose of imposing local taxes is mandatory for the needs of local governments and the prosperity of the people,” he explained.
The revenue from the Tobacco Excise Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH CHT) is allocated to fund the program as regulated in the statutory regulations regarding excise. The priority is in the health sector to support the national health insurance program.
“Priority for the use of DBH CHT has been regulated in PMK No. 206/PMK.07/2020 of which 50 percent is allocated for the public welfare sector, 25 percent for the health sector, and 25 percent for law enforcement,” he concluded. (*)
Author: Sandi Prabowo
Editor : Binti Q. Masruroh
