Smoking habit to cost dearly in Indonesia
November 24th, 2011 - 12:57 pm ICT by IANSJakarta, Nov 24 (IANS) Come 2012 and smokers in Indonesia will feel a big pinch in their pocket as they will have to cough up more money to buy cigarettes.
The Indonesian government plans to raise excise duty on tobbacco by 15 percent in an effort to reduce its consumption for protecting public health, Xinhua quoted a media report as stating.
Indonesian Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo told lawmakers in the parliament building that the new excise would be higher than inflation because the ministry wished to ensure that the excise can protect people’s health.
“We have involved many parties, including the stakeholders and we also have consulted with the House about increasing the excise,” the Jakarta Post quoted the minister as saying.
According to Hasan Aoni Azis, corporate communications officer for The Indonesian Cigarette Producers Association (Gappri), the excise would reduce cigarette consumption because it’s related to people’s purchasing power. “When the excise goes up then cigarette price per pack will increase as well. People will only have two choices: quit smoking or shift their choices to a lower-priced brand,” he said.
As per data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), every 10 percent of excise increase in developed countries could reduce consumption from four to five percent, while in developing countries the reduction could be between 8 and 13 percent, he added.
- China may raise tobacco price to curb consumption - Mar 12, 2012
- Indonesian resort island of Bali bans smoking in all public places - Nov 29, 2011
- Giving up menthol ciggies may be harder for some smokers - Dec 21, 2010
- Russia to raise liquor, cigarette tax - Apr 29, 2012
- China to curb smoking with increased taxes - Mar 10, 2012
- Excise, customs duties on large, foreign-made vehicles hiked - Mar 16, 2012
- Ice cream manufacturers seek tax reduction - Jul 11, 2011
- UN: World food prices to remain high into 2012 - Jun 07, 2011
- World food prices may remain high next year: FAO - Jun 08, 2011
- Brazil bans smoking in public spaces - Dec 16, 2011
- Excise, customs duties on large, foreign-made vehicles hiked (Lead) - Mar 16, 2012
- Cigarettes, bidis costlier in Himchal - Apr 01, 2011
- Indonesian troops prepare hostage rescue operation against Somali pirates - Apr 14, 2011
- Washington State approves cigarette tax increase - Apr 14, 2010
- Diesel cars guzzling 40 percent of segment's fuel: CSE - Jan 25, 2012
Tags: agriculture organisation, agus martowardojo, cigarette consumption, cigarette price, corporate communications officer, developed countries, excise duty, finance minister, indonesian government, jakarta post, parliament building, producers association, protecting public health, purchasing power, smokers, smoking habit, tobbacco, two choices, world health organisation, xinhua