Jakarta Urged to Enact Smoke-Free Zone Law in 2025

The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) is pushing for Jakarta to finalize its smoke-free zone legislation next year, citing consumer health and existing legal mandates. This move aims to protect the public from the dangers of secondhand smoke in the bustling metropolis.

Urgent Call for Smoke-Free Zones

Niti Emiliana, the YLKI Chairperson, has urged the ratification of the Smoke-Free Zone regional regulation in 2025. The regulation has been under deliberation for a considerable period without being enacted. She emphasized that Jakarta lags behind in consumer protection, especially regarding the health hazards associated with passive smoking.

“YLKI also calls for the regulation to include more comprehensive provisions that strengthen consumer protection from exposure to active smokers’ cigarette smoke surrounding them, such as the elderly, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers,”

—Niti Emiliana, Chairperson of YLKI

To date, approximately 60% of Indonesian adults are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or in public places. (Source: WHO 2024). Emiliana also cited Singapore as an example of successful implementation of smoke-free zones.

Legal and Practical Considerations

The Smoke-Free Zone regulation is mandated under Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, requiring city governments to create and enforce such regulations. The proposed law aims to shift public behavior towards a healthier and smoke-free environment, aligning with Jakarta’s “Global and Cultured City” theme.

Opposition and Future Steps

However, the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) has voiced objections to the draft regulation, specifically concerning provisions they believe will increase operational burdens for hotels, cafes, and restaurants. The future of the legislation will depend on how these concerns are addressed and if Jakarta can pass the bill in 2025.