Between Health and Trillions of Money

The basis for the imposition of tobacco tax is the cigarette excise duty, with the tariff of 10% of cigarette excise tax. Utilization of cigarette tax at least 50% to fund health services and law enforcement by authorized officers.

As a paradise country smokers, this plan certainly responded to by various different parties. There are pros, but not a few who cons. There is also a true cigarette tax rate is just a government compromise with the cigarette industry in the face of pressure health issues. Despite all the controversy, cigarette taxes are mandatory and should be implemented in the national interest.

Heaven's Smokers

Indonesia has long been known as the paradise of smokers. Having data from Ministry of Health, in 2007-2010 there was an increase in age to start smoking at a younger age. In 2007, the age of the first smoker aged 5-9 years 1.2%, age 10-14 years 10.3%, age 15-19 years 33.1%, age 20-24 years 12.1%, age 25- 29 years 3.4% and age above 30 years by 4%. Year 2010, age 5-9 years 1.7%, age 10-14 years 17.5%, age 15-19 years 43.3%, age 20-24 years 14.6%, age 25-29 years 4, 3% and age above 30 years of 3.9%.

The smoking prevelence rate in Indonesia has also increased significantly. According to Ministry of Health data, in 2007 Indonesian population aged over 15 years who smoked every day 27.2%, smoking not every day 6.1%, former smokers 3.7%, and who did not smoke by 63%. In 2010, the smokers every day became 28.2%, smoking not every day 6.5%, ex-smokers 5.4% and non-smokers 59.9%.

As a result, Indonesia became the third largest smoker country after China and India, and became one of the countries that have not ratified the Protocol Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Danger of cigarette

Cigarette smoke contains 4000 kinds of toxins with 69 of which are carcinogenic to cause cancer. The impact of cigarette smoke is also detrimental to both passive and active smokers. Cigarettes are often called silent killers because they arise slowly and prolonged, indirectly and do not appear significantly.

Smoking habits also spur various other diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, pregnancy and fetal disorders. Cigarettes also cause economic impact, especially for poor middle class.

Based on the study of Demography Institute of UI, the expenditure of middle to poor family for
cigarettes exceed food expenditure, education and health, so there is a chance lost due to smoking.

Role of Cigarettes and Weak Regulation

Indonesia must learn from neighboring countries. Thailand has banned IPS and CSR cigarettes in a number of areas of activity. They also apply cigarette taxes to improve public health. Cambodia and Laos, are able to ban cigarette IPS totally in their country. America as the largest cigarette producer, has been able to free themselves from cigarette advertisements plus selling cigarettes with the price selangit.Berbagai above description seems to have been able to illustrate the urgency of the Government apply cigarette tax.

Given the cigarette tax, it is expected that cigarettes will become an expensive commodity in Indonesia, which will not be easily accessible to the community, at least by beginner smokers and poor middle class families. For the sake of the creation of a qualified Indonesian young generation, this hope should be supported by all elements of the nation with full self-awareness.

Tobacco taxes are held not to kill the cigarette industry, but provide a disincentive to the increasing number of passive smokers especially among children and young people.