Vapeboss – A few weeks ago, the public was startled by the Health Bill, or RUU Kesehatan, which categorized tobacco as an addictive substance. This categorization drew protests from several parties. Article 154 of the Health Bill states that tobacco is equated with other addictive substances such as psychotropics, narcotics, and alcohol. In response, the House of Representatives (DPR RI) clarified to the public that the Health Law has no intersection or common ground with tobacco, let alone with addictive substances classified as drugs.

Quoting kemkes.go.id, Indonesia is the 6th largest tobacco-producing country after China, Brazil, India, the USA, and Malawi, with a production of 136 thousand tons, or about 1.91% of the total world tobacco production. The three largest tobacco-producing provinces are East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, and Central Java. The incidence rate of Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) reaches 63.7% among tobacco leaf harvesters. Due to this, the DPR RI agrees that vape liquid should be made purely from tobacco, as Indonesia is a high-value tobacco producer.

Tobacco has also significantly contributed to state revenue through excise taxes. If tobacco were categorized as a narcotic and destroyed, he believes that the livelihoods of farmers and employees would be eliminated by this single article. Member of the Legislative Body (Baleg) of the DPR RI, Firman Subagyo, stated that the Health Bill includes a inserted article classifying tobacco as an addictive substance on par with narcotics. However, Baleg DPR RI did not include that norm.

"The Health Law regulates and provides regulations for the general governance of the health service system; it does not regulate commodities. The insertion of articles that have no correlation with this law should be questioned to the Minister of Health," he said.

According to Firman, tobacco is a plant utilized by legitimate and legal industries in this country. Moreover, tobacco is a commodity traded in the market by the community. "So, if we want to regulate commodities, let's create regulations related to commodities. Because all commodities have their own respective impacts," he explained.

Firman informed the public that the Health Law has no intersection, no common ground with tobacco, let alone with addictive substances classified as drugs.

"We, from Baleg DPR RI, have never included an inserted article that equates tobacco as an addictive substance with narcotics. Regarding e-cigarettes or Vapes, we do not prohibit the industry, but we will carefully observe and supervise it, and ask for government support through BP POM regarding Vape raw materials," Firman said.

In addition to being a member of the Legislative Body (Baleg) of the DPR RI, Firman Subagyo is also the Secretary-General of Granat (Anti-Narcotics Movement). "So it is my duty to oppose Vapes mixed with narcotics. There needs to be regulation that governs and supervises this. Because regulation and supervision are the duties of the DPR RI," he asserted.The focus and background of the Health Bill's drafting have broader implications. Firman reminded that this prospective omnibus law was initiated because the governance of public health was not functioning well. Therefore, parliament is concentrating on ensuring that this bill can address these governance challenges.

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