SEA Games officials warned to stay alert about cigarette firm maneuvers

The Southeast Asian Tobacco Control Alliance (Seatca) has praised Indonesia for its initiative in introducing a smoking-free zone at the SEA Games’ venues, but it warned about possible maneuvers that cigarette firms may employ against the policy.

“The cigarette industry will try to use the SEA Games for its own benefit as long as Indonesia does not sign the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,” Seatca advisor Mary Asunta said in Jakarta, as quoted by kompas.com.

She said the cigarette industry would always try to cooperate with sporting events to disorientate the public about the dangers of cigarette smoking.

“Previous SEA Games tournaments in Vitenam, the Philippines, Thailand and Laos were able to control the cigarette industry’s maneuvers. Indonesia is now being tested,” she said.

In a recent meeting with cigarette and tobacco control activists and advocates, President Susilo Bambang Yuhoyono promised that no cigarette advertisements would be allowed in and around the SEA Games venues.

However, Indonesia has yet to sign the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which is a global agreement directing governments to control tobacco.

Agreeing to the convention would mean that the country would have to ban cigarette and tobacco advertisements from appearing in the media, and at sporting events and youth activities.