Health Ministry calls for tobacco-less day

The Health Ministry is calling on Indonesian smokers to refrain from lighting up for one day during World No Tobacco Day on May 31.

The Health Ministry’s public communications department head, Murti Utami, said on Friday that the ministry would send letters suggesting participation in the day of non-smoking to other ministries and government offices.

"The Health Ministry is preparing several programs for World No Tobacco Day commemoration, including an anti-tobacco rally, seminar and workshop," she said at the ministry's office.

Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih is scheduled to open the World No Tobacco Day commemoration at Cibubur Park.

"The event will start at 8 a.m. Around 200 students and officials will participate in the event," she said.

The Health Ministry also expects more regions to initiate no-cigarette zones as part of implementing the 2009 Law on Health.

In the two years since its passing, eight provinces and 22 regions have owned their no-cigarette zone policies.

Azimal, the Health Ministry’s head of surveillance epidemiology, said on Friday that Palembang, Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, Bandung, Pontianak, Payakumbuh and Padang Panjang were among the regions implementing the policy.

"We hope more regions will have their own no-cigarette zones. We try to encourage local governments every time we visit," he said.

Yogyakarta, Semarang, Tulungagung and Ende currently had bills prepared on no-cigarette zones. (lfr)