Letter: The tobacco related diseases

Health Minister Endang Sedyaningsih admitted that the government had focused most of its attention on combating infectious diseases and had neglected the potential dangers of non-contagious diseases, which contribute to millions of preventable deaths each year, (“Unhealthy lifestyles give rise to new killer diseases”, The Jakarta Post,  Jan. 8).

The reality is that the government has known about this, particularly the avoidable deaths by tobacco related diseases. The medical fraternity has been making statements like that of Kartono Mahamad who know that the huge number of deaths from tobacco (WHO estimate 450,000) in RI are avoidable but the government has remained in denial, enjoying the smoke screen (and free cigarettes?) provided by the tobacco industry.

But the big question is, does Endang have the conviction, the morality and the intestinal fortitude to confront her Cabinet colleagues and call for a “War Against Tobacco” to save those Indonesians who die needlessly because the government supports the promotion of tobacco consumption?

I challenge the minister to show that she is not just another NATO minister — No Action, Talk Only — who is beholden to the tobacco industry.

Imagine minister, in two years time you could boast of having saved the lives of millions of fellow Indonesians.

That should be enough to make you a national hero! Much more impressive than having to admit “I did nothing and allowed millions to die”.

Nairdah
Sydney