Jakarta businesses resist more smoke-free rules

Jakarta’s plan to expand smoke-free zones and tighten cigarette sales regulations has been met with strong pushback from business groups, which warn that the moves could eat into revenues and disrupt livelihoods.

- 

The Jakarta City Council's special committee finalised the draft of a long-delayed smoke-free zones bylaw on Sept 29, in line with a 2024 central government regulation requiring all regional administrations to adopt such measures.

The bylaw bans cigarette sales within 200m of schools and playgrounds, and prohibits the sale of loose cigarettes, commonplace across Indonesia where countless street vendors and small kiosks sell them by the stick.

In addition to these provisions, the draft bylaw restricts smoking in crowded public areas, including traditional and modern markets, and requires businesses to obtain special permits to sell tobacco products.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung confirmed that councillors had backed extending restrictions to entertainment venues such as karaoke lounges, nightclubs and live music cafes.

However, small-business owners say they are bracing themselves for a blow. Cigarettes are one of the bestselling items at neighbourhood food stalls like warteg — short for warung tegal — that specifically serve Javanese food.