The statistics just prove that non-smoking campaigns have not had a greater effect than the growing number of cigarette advertisements put out on television, radio, billboards, in cinemas, magazines and on promotional stands at malls.

They are, in fact, much more eye-catching and interesting than the old, stale non-smoking campaigns. Up to now, the government only suggests rather than acts in order to lower the number of smokers.

Until then, the statistics will just rise uncontrollably.

Devi Triana Lubis
Jakarta

Given that 34.8 percent of the adult male population in the country smokes, we can deduce that our national economic production is reduced accordingly.

Workers who smoke are lucky if their supervisors are smokers, too ... but a tremendous disadvantage to their companies, which brings down national economic progress!

Related/respective leaders of the nation who happen to also be smokers are indeed reluctant to ban cigarettes in workplaces, which weigh down progressively on productivity.

If the government is so corrupt that it cannot impose sanctions on obvious violators, in deference to the poor why doesn’t the government force cigarette factories to protect the welfare of impoverished tobacco farmers? At least rehabilitate those who are addicted and create jobs for them that will allow them to live healthier.

In a corrupt country, a health promotion boards could easily be manipulated by being erected in, of all institutions, cigarette manufacturing companies!

Smoking cigarettes, especially in public, should be outlawed as it can pollute others. Even the sight of it clearly indicates the weakness of smokers who are not able to resist their nicotine addiction; a weakness to be sneered upon. We could begin with education, the funds for which should not be passed through the usual corrupt corridors!

When do we think we will care about our nicotine-addicted brothers and sisters, if not NOW! And make sure the younger generation doesn’t follow the same wrong path!

Adikoesoemo
Jakarta

We have to control cigarette consumption, otherwise in the next 10 years there will be a highly increased amount of stroke incidences and lung cancer. It has a negative impact on our economy in the form decreasing labor productivity, increasing mortality, morbidity and disability.

The Social Security Scheme (BPJS) will collapse if the recent trend in cigarette consumption continues. To control cigarette consumption the government should increase cigarette price by increasing the excise tax. A total ban on all cigarette advertising, enforcing 100 percent indoor smoke-free areas and including graphic health warnings is also necessary.

The objective of an excise policy is to control consumption of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages; it is not a revenue instrument. The recent cigarette excise tax is not high enough to decrease consumption. We hope President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono prioritizes more on the health of the nation rather than the health of the tobacco industry in Indonesia.

Abdillah Hassan

The health of the nation is going up in smoke because of the aggressive marketing tactics used by the tobacco industry! Much of our youth start smoking at seven or eight years old, and are hooked for life. Why is smoking not deemed haram while drinking alcohol is?

Henry Manoe

Speak up!

Insensitive film

President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono has called on Muslims to exercise retrain over a film made in the US, Innocence of Muslims, that provoked Muslims in Libya to attack the US Consulate in Benghazhi. What is your opinion?

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