1. Background
Indonesia with 259 million inhabitants, is the 3rd largest tobacco consuming country after China and India in the world .Percentage of smokers in 1995 is 42% and increased to 60% in 2001. Serious steps should be taken to stop this smoking epidemic
2. Objectives
One of the best advocacies to fight for is Graphic Health Warning on cigarette packs considered as the most effective for reducing smokers in the society, in particular the young generation and illiterates in the urban areas. Health warning messages on cigarette packs was not effective.
3. Methods
Graphic Health Warning started 2006 and in 2007 research was made for 6 months in all levels of the society in Jakarta,Bogor, Cirebon to choose 4 out of the 6 pictures : the scariest – the most popular – the most informative – chosen by young people. Meetings were convened on the research result between NGO’s and Government Institutions. A team of NGO’s and Legal staff of the Ministry of Health worked on the amend of the Government Regulation no 19/1993 for Graphic Health Warning to be included. A big mass campaign was held in 2008 in the main street of Jakarta and press conferences.media campaign,seminars also were held for socialization.
4. Results and Implentation
November 2009 a comprehensive Bill no 36/2009 was declared and tobacco was stated as an addictive substance. The Tobacco Industry was sued at the Constitutional Court. October 2011 we won the case. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with NGO’s drafted a new Government Regulation on Graphic Health Warning to be signed by the President. End of 2013 the President signed the Government Regulation on Graphic Health Warning to be implemented end of June to July 2014.