Indonesia’s tobacco groups are protesting government plans for tougher regulations on cigarette making and marketing, saying the $40-billion industry will be harmed by proposed limits on nicotine and tar content.

Regulations and Industry Impact

The regulations, set to be issued by July 26, call for plain packaging of cigarettes and e-cigarettes to blunt their appeal to young people, while setting a maximum limit of 10 mg of tar and 1 mg of nicotine per cigarette and banning additives. Industry representatives argue that these rules will encourage sales of illegal cigarettes and harm the industry.

The health ministry and the coordinating ministry of human development and culture did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Indonesia regulates smoking less than many other countries, leading to a prevalence of about 70% among men, among the world’s highest.

The Indonesian market is different because clove cigarettes, with much higher levels of nicotine and tar, account for 90% of sales. The tobacco industry is important for the Indonesian economy and government finances, creating 710 trillion rupiah ($39.6 billion) of economic activities and employing 6 million workers and farmers.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.