Heaptalk, Jakarta — On Wednesday (07/31), President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially signed Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024. The regulation includes several provisions, including a ban on retail cigarette sales in shops or stalls.
The regulation is outlined in Article 434, paragraph 1, point c, which states that everyone is prohibited from selling tobacco products and electronic cigarettes:
- using vending machines.
- to anyone under the age of 21 and pregnant women.
- individually by the stick, except for tobacco products in the form of cigars and electronic cigarettes.
Additionally, sellers are prohibited from placing cigarettes and other tobacco products in areas frequently passed by people. People are also prohibited from selling cigarettes through commercial websites and social media. This rule excludes using websites and similar media if age verification is required.
Furthermore, individuals who produce tobacco products and electronic cigarettes must comply with packaging standardization. “Health warnings are writings and images on the packaging that provide information and education about the dangers of smoking,” states Article 436.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin explained that ratifying this implementing regulation of the Health Law strengthens the government’s efforts to rebuild a resilient health system throughout Indonesia. “We welcome the issuance of this regulation, which becomes our foundation to jointly reform and build the health system to reach the country’s remote areas,” said Budi (07/31).
In more detail, Budi outlined the technical provisions regulated in 1,072 articles, covering the implementation of health efforts, technical aspects of health services, management of medical and health personnel, health service facilities, technical health supplies, and pharmaceutical resilience and medical devices.
