Bali says No to Tobacco Trade Fair

By Lauren Gumbs

One of the biggest annual tobacco trade fairs will not be going ahead as planned because Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika resolved that the island would not host the event.

The Inter-Tabac Asia, scheduled for Feb 27-28 2014, was rejected by a more health conscious Balinese governance, with organisers now looking to find tobacco friendly hosts in Jakarta or Surabaya instead.

The South East Asian Tobacco Control Alliance praised the Balinese Governor’s decision, SEATCA Director Bungon Ritthiphakdee said the governor’s stance is a genuine service to humanity.

“The Bali governor put his people first, ahead of all other interests. It stands as an example that all world leaders should emulate,” he said.

“Bali, true to its fame and image, gives the whole world a breath of fresh air.”

Big Tobacco in South East Asia is increasingly being squeezed by legislation that prioritises public health over profits, however the Inter-Tabac Asia, previously held in Manila, is one of a few other giant expos that aim to drive growth and maintain a presence among fast growing Asian populations with fewer restrictions on tobacco control.

Indonesian families on the lowest wages spend about 10 percent of their household income on cigarettes, and the proportion of young smokers has increased to more than 40 percent for boys aged 13-15.

Women and youths have become the targets of massive tobacco advertising campaigns with key themes in Indonesia revolving around modernity, freedom, and peer group bonding rather than tradition, wealth, and masculinity, typically aimed at mature males.

 

Lauren is a writer and Human Rights Student who holds a Master of Communications.