Conflict and resolution on politics of tobacco control in Indonesia

Even though the Indonesian government and members of parliament have been strongly urged by the general public and international organizations to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Indonesia is the only country in Asia that has still not ratified the FCTC. This study sought to analyze the roles and personal interests of the players involved, as well as current conflicts and ways in which resolutions had been achieved. This exploratory research included descriptive analysis carried out through ‘analysis of policy’ as a review of written sources including books, journals, constitutional laws, and related articles from electronic media. The results of the analyses show that governmental considerations delaying the ratification of tobacco control legislation include that the tobacco industry has long been a source of direct income for a significant portion of Indonesians. These include tobacco farmers and their families, workers at tobacco factories, and other informal sectors supporting the tobacco industry. The industry’s strength and other financial considerations such as taxes and advertisements are also factors. The dynamic process of tobacco control in Indonesia has been fraught with conflicts and resolutions, and this will continue because of political processes corresponding to vested interests and power struggles. The fights and tussles resulting from both these aspects have been a source of ongoing conflict. However, delays in the ratification of the FCTC can also be seen as a form of resolution because they have served as a meeting point where the interests and power positions of various actors can be upheld.