Sandiaga Calls on Jakartans to Fight against Tobacco Industry

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor-elect Sandiaga Uno has called on Jakartans to fight against the tobacco industry. He also urges the people to unite following the end of Jakarta gubernatorial election.

“The election ended two weeks ago, it’s time to unite. We are facing even bigger powers, Philip Morris and BAT [British American Tobacco],” he said Sunday at the Conference on Tobacco or Health Youth Forum. “We are all against the tobacco industry.”

Sandi said that he will continue the existing ban on cigarette advertising boards in Jakarta initiated by inactive governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. “We will continue the good policies issued by Pak Basuki; we can also emulate Kulon Progo Regency that is free from cigarette advertisements and sponsorships,” he said.

Sandi and Governor-elect Anies Baswedan have agreed to prioritize health and education in the regional budget allocation. “Particularly health; some 80 percent used to be allocated to health care; in the next five years, we will change it: 60 percent will go to preventive care and 40 percent to health care.”

“The administration’s budget can be used to hold art festivals, sporting, cultural events and will not be spent mostly on healthcare,” he said.

He argued that not only do smokers harm themselves but also the society.

Sandi said that Indonesia is expected to have healthy youths when it enjoys demographic bonus in 2020. “[Younger] generations who are prone to illness would instead become a burden to the country.”

ISTIQOMATUL HAYATI