President Approves New Tobacco Regulation

Jakarta, Jan 9 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has signed a government regulation, PP No. 109/2012, on the use of approved additives in tobacco. "President Yudhoyono has approved the draft of the regulation that contains 65 articles and eight chapters with regard to new rules concerning tobacco, which were set on December 24, 2012," the State Secretariat said in a statement here on Wednesday. "PP No 109/2012 involves rules relating to the production process of tobacco, including instructions on the use of nicotine and tar test contents, added ingredients, packaging and labeling, as well as health warning," it stated. Besides the production process, the new regulation also covers the distribution process, which includes selling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship. "The regulation also has a chapter on protection, which is aimed at reducing the possibility of children, youngsters and pregnant mothers falling victims to tobacco products," the statement pointed out. Article 25 of PP No. 109/2012 prohibits selling tobacco to children under 18 years of age and pregnant women. The regulation also applies to convenient stores and cigarette vending machines. The new regulation has also designated non-smoking areas to protect the public from the dangers of passive smoking. Non-smoking areas include public health facilities, student learning centers, children`s playgrounds, places of worship, public transportation, workplaces, and other public places.