REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Government plans to finalize ratification of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) that was initiated by UN's World Health Organization (WHO). Indonesia now is the only country in Southeast Asia that has not signed the ratification.

Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare with Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Industry are involved in this ratification. Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, Agung Laksono said that 177 countries had ratified the FCTC, except Indonesia.

FCTC's main goal is to protect young generation from health problems, social, environmental problems, also economic as a result of tobacco consumption.

"FCTC will respond globalization of epidemic disease due to tobacco products," Laksono said recently.

Some parties concern over fate of tobacco farmers if this new regulation is implemented in Indonesia. Laksono ensured that FCTC will not turn off the existing of cigarette industry. In some countries that have signed the FCTC, cigarette industry is not dying.

Vice Chairman of Indonesian Tobacco Community Alliance (AMTI), Budidoyo said that FCTC was not a wise solution. Government does not consider that Indonesia cannot be equated with other countries that do not have interests in the existence of tobacco industry.

FCTC will have a great impact for millions of Indonesian workers who depend their livelihood from tobacco industry. He considers that in several years, FCTC will completely shift from its original objective and tend to kill tobacco industry, including tobacco farmers.

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