Health Bill, Favored by Health Activists, Despised by the Rest

Several stakeholders strongly oppose the regulation draft (RPP) derived from Health Law No. 17/2023. Among them is the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, which argues that the Health regulation draft poses a threat to the survival of the creative industry. Tourism Ministry's Director of Creative Industries Syaifullah Agam emphasized the need for the Health Ministry to consider multiple perspectives. "We must ensure that any prohibitions or restrictions do not adversely affect other industries," he stated Tuesday.

One of the key provisions of the Health regulation draft involves tightening restrictions on tobacco product advertising on television. The allowed advertising time window would shift from the current 9:30 PM-5:00 AM to a more restricted 11:00 PM-3:00 AM. Furthermore, the regulation proposes a total ban on such advertising across electronic media, outdoor activities, and creative endeavors. Meanwhile, Ketut Budiman, the Secretary-General of the Indonesian Clove Farmers Association (APCI), feels threatened by the Health regulation draft's potential on the production, import, and sale of tobacco and electronic cigarette products. "About 95 percent of clove production is for the cigarette industry. If the cigarette industry is impacted, so are we," he expressed.