Indonesia’s dirty habit

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While many countries are making strides in reducing smoking rates, Indonesia seems to be going in the opposite direction. Rebecca Henschke looks at why.

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MARCO WERMAN:  There aren’t that many places where smokers can still find a haven.  But there is Indonesia.  It’s among the few countries in Asia that have not signed the World Health Organization’s treaty on tobacco control.  While many countries have seen smoking rates go down in recent years, Indonesia’s seem to be going up.  Rebecca Henschke reports from Jakarta.

REBECCA HENSCHKE:  Abe plays a guitar on a crowded bus in central Jakarta.  He then moves down the bus asking for money.  He makes around $2.00 a day.  Half of that he spends on cigarettes.

INTERPRETER:  I don’t early very much.  It’s only when I have a good day that I can eat.  First the money goes on cigarettes, then on rent, and then on food.

HENSCHKE: Seventeen year old Ridhu earns even less, around fifty cents a day working in a garbage yard.  He also spends more than half of it on cigarettes.

INTERPRETER:  Smoking is everything to boys like me.  Cigarettes make me forget about my stress.  Smoking is better than a girlfriend.  Smoking is everything, it keeps me from feeling bored.

HENSCHKE: And according to surveys, Indonesia smokers are getting younger.  Imam Parsodjo is a sociologist from the University of Indonesia and an anti-tobacco activist.

IMAM PARSODJO:  Now it’s getting into the five to nine.  Three percent of Indonesians age five to nine are already become a smoker.  So this is an outrage.

HENSCHKE: A small street side store sells cigarettes.  You can get a packet for less than one dollar.  Individual ones for a  few cents.  There’s a small health warning on the packet.  It says smoking causes cancer and lung disease.  Last month there was a massive billboard here advertising cigarettes featuring the face of Kelly Clarkson.  The former American Idol winner invited fans to her concert in Jakarta.  The logo of her sponsor, L.A. Lights splashed in huge type above her head.  Tobacco advertising has been strictly limited for years in the U.S. and many other countries.  But in Indonesia, sociologist Imam Prasodjo says tobacco companies have virtually free reign.

PRASODJO:  They’re sponsoring sport events, cultural events, even educational events.  Many schools built or sponsored by the tobacco industry.  The money becomes one of the largest lobbies weapon you know.  So that’s why they can go to the political party, even go to the President.

HENSCHKE: Two years ago Parliament rejected a proposed bill that would have tightened controls on cigarette advertising and sales.  Some government officials have expressed concerns that cutting tobacco consumption might slow the economy.  Indonesia’s tobacco industry employs millions.  It’s the world’s fifth largest cigarette producing market and taxes from cigarettes account for about 10 to 30 percent of government revenue.  But the anti-smoking lobby is starting to be heard.  Protests by foreign anti-tobacco groups forced the tobacco company to pull its promotion of Kelly Clarkson’s concert in Jakarta last month.  And locally there are some attempts to change the culture.  I have come to one of the big hospitals in central Jakarta.  Just a few months ago this became a smoke free area.  There is now a huge sign that hangs out the front that reads no smoking.  But right under the sign is a man puffing away on a cigarette.  For The World, this is Rebecca Henschke in Jakarta.

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