TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi said that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has agreed to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). "The president has agreed. Now it's in ratification process," said Nafsiah on Tuesday.
According to Nafsiah, there is now an understanding between ministries about the importance of ratification. The government only has to formulate several technical policies that will be implemented after the ratification such as a policy to protect tobacco farmers and cigarette industry workers.
Nafsiah stated that the president had supported the ratification of this convention since the beginning, but official support in the form of document signing. She denied any any lobbying from cigarette industry to prevent the president from signing.
Nafsiah hoped this ratification plan will proceed without problems. She believed that no one is at disadvantage. "This ratification will instead protect a lot of people's interests."
The ratification of this convention has generated pros and cons. Tobacco businessmen and associations on behalf of tobacco farmers oppose the convention. Indonesia is currently one of only two countries in Asia that has not ratified this convention.
IRA GUSLINA SUFA
