WHO: Country Not Losing Raise Cigarette Rewards

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Indonesia N Paranietharan stressed the country will not lose if raising taxes and taxes on cigarettes.

Paranietharan at the World No Tobacco Day commemoration ceremony at the Ministry of Health Jakarta on Thursday (31/5/5/2018) said there is no evidence to suggest that the increase in cigarette excise tariff will affect industrial workers and tobacco farmers.

"I want to erase the myths about tobacco taxes, that if taxes are increased the state loses, there is no evidence to show that the industry continues to gain profits and farmers can actually grow other lucrative crops," he said.

He cited the Philippine state that raising taxes could reduce the number of smokers and increase profits to the government.

"In Indonesia it is important because cigarettes cause cardiovascular disease. In Indonesia, 25 percent of heart disease-related deaths are due to cigarette consumption," Paranietharan said.

In addition he also emphasized the importance of government in handling the number of cases of passive smokers.

Paranietharan mentioned WHO data that as much as 80 percent of Indonesians are passive smokers.

"There are still many things we need to do," said Paranietharan, referring to the 2025 SDGs, Indonesia should reduce tobacco consumption by a third, from 68 percent to 45 percent in 2025. We have 7 years.