VIVAnews - A section on tobacco attached in the Health Law is again filed to the Constitutional Court to be reviewed. Secretary of the Indonesian Association of Tobacco Farmers, Nurtanto Wisnu Brata, stated that article 113 section (2) has violated the constitutional right of tobacco farmers.
"The grand design in the regulation stipulated in Article 113 section (2) saying that tobacco is the only element containing addictive substance has been affected by economic motives," said Nurtanto during a session in the Constitutional Court today, June 21.
According to him, 'kretek' cigarettes, that are originally produced in Indonesia, may be banned from being exported to the United States, which in turn cause tobacco production to fall. "In the mean time, US tobacco and cigarettes are freely distributed to Indonesia," he said.
Nurtanto questioned the possibilities that Indonesian tobacco farmers can still earn proper living. According to him, tobacco farmers have been widely judged negatively. "They are treated unfairly as compared to grape, coffee, tea and other farmers. Why is it only tobacco that is subject to explicit regulations," he said.
He also questioned about the argumentation and legal arguments applied in the obligation to print "government warning" on cigarette boxes. In fact, it should also be measured out to any products containing addictive substances.
"Take it for example soft drink, coffee, beer, tea, wine and other liquors containing addictive substances," he said.
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Translated by: Bonardo Maulana W
