FK-KMK UGM. Indonesia is the second-largest cigarette market in the world, where two out of three men are smokers, and kretek (clove cigarettes) dominate 95% of the market. It is no surprise that at least 250,000 Indonesians die each year from tobacco-related diseases.
On Tuesday (4/6), the Center for Health Behavior and Promotion at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM), Health Promoting University (HPU) UGM, HPU FK-KMK UGM, Forum Jogja Sehat Tanpa Tembakau (JSTT), and the Indonesian Academic Alliance for Tobacco Control Communication (AAKIPT) held a national webinar titled “Reading Kretek Capitalism from the Perspective of Tobacco Control” and a book discussion on “Kretek Capitalism” by American anthropologist Marina Welker.
This event was organized to commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2024 and the eighth anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling on a lawsuit against JSTT.
“JSTT and the network of universities and civil society organizations support all efforts to advance human rights, especially the protection of children through tobacco control policies and actions,” said Prof. Dra. RA. Yayi Suryo Prabandari, M.Si., Ph.D., Chair of HPU UGM and Chair of Forum JSTT.
According to Prof. Yayi, the Supreme Court of Indonesia’s ruling on the lawsuit against JSTT marked a significant milestone in upholding human rights through tobacco control.
The event featured presentations by practitioners from various backgrounds, including Dr. Lestari Nurhajati, M.Si., Secretary General of AAKIPT; Beladenta Amalia, Ph.D., Project Lead for Tobacco Control at the Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives; Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., Chair of the Working Group on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Gambling Control at HPU UGM; Jalal, member of the National Tobacco Control Committee; Elanto Wijoyono, JSTT activist; and Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto, S.H., advocate for the Solidarity of Public Advocates for Tobacco Control in Indonesia.
Lestari stated, “Disinformation about tobacco in Indonesia is rampant.”
This disinformation is fueled by the political failure of the state to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights to health in the face of the tobacco industry, explained Beladenta.
Economically, Aryo added that the capitalism of the cigarette and kretek industry creates various narratives to maintain its existence despite the negative impacts it causes.
“Indonesians need to be critical by studying various scientific findings about the impact of smoking on individual health and child development,” Aryo concluded.
He also emphasized the need for the public to critically address the narratives about livelihoods in the tobacco sector.
“We hope the government and all stakeholders will urgently adopt strong political will based on the spirit of defending human rights, fighting disinformation, and combating tobacco industry interference at all levels and stages of public policy to uphold human rights, especially the right to health and child protection,” Prof. Yayi concluded.
This event also demonstrated a commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Good Health and Well-being (SDGs 3), Quality Education (SDGs 4), Gender Equality (SDGs 5), and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDGs 12). (Isroq Adi Subakti/Reporter)
Picture: Official book cover of Kretek Capitalism
