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Second is the aspect of protection, which is defined as the form and policy steps as well as its enforcement. Third is the aspect of fulfillment, which concerns access to health services.
“Appreciation is a sympathetic and thorough effort regarding the prevention of tobacco epidemic. The protection aspect is specifically to protect community group/individual through regulations, that production and marketing of tobacco should not be a threat the public,” he said.
The tobacco excise tariff structure simplification is considered to be the proof of government commitment in controlling tobacco. Furthermore, simplification has also been mandated in the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024. The delays on simplification only shows the indecisiveness of the government on tobacco control matters.
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Moreover, the government had actually stipulated a roadmap for simplification of cigarette excise tariff structure since 2017. However, to date, the government only simplified the structure to 10 tiers without any further follow-up.
According to Rafendi, so far rejection to simplification comes from interest groups with vested interest, which then detriment the society as well as children.
“The first indication that there were groups that rejected the excise tariff simplification has been proved from research results since 2008, where it showed how strong lobbying and pressure by the [tobacco] industry affects lawmaking and policymaking,” said Rafendi who is also the Regional Director for South East Asia and Pacific of Amnesty International.
