Opportunities and Challenges of Tobacco Control Policy at District Level in Indonesia: A Qualitative Analysis

Yunarman, Sepri; Munandar, Aries; Ahsan, Abdillah; Akbarjono, Ali; Kusuma, Dian

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.10.3055

Opportunities and Challenges of Tobacco Control Policy at District Level in Indonesia: A Qualitative Analysis

Document Type : Short Communications

Authors

¹ Faculty of Tarbiyah and Tadris, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia.

² Faculty of Social and Political Science, University of Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia.

³ Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia.

⁴ Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation, Imperial College Business School, London, UK.

10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.10.3055

Abstract

Introduction: Comprehensive tobacco control policies are lacking in Indonesia where smoking prevalence in males is among the highest in the world. This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitude, opportunities and challenges to tobacco control among local stakeholders. Methods: This is a qualitative study using in-depth interviews. Four study areas included Bengkulu Province, Bengkulu City, Seluma District, and Kaur District. Eighteen participants interviewed were from policymakers, legislators, and civil societies during November-December 2020. Thematic data analysis was used. Results: While knowledge and support of the existing Smoke Free Policy (SFP) were high, that of other policies such as outdoor tobacco advertising (OTA) ban and tobacco product display ban were low. Among others, one opportunity was there is already SFP regulation in each study area, to which such bans can be added. Among others, three major challenges were: (a) lack of enforcement of the existing SFP, (b) lack of national regulation to ban OTA and product display, and (c) counter actions by the tobacco industry. Conclusion: The opportunities and challenges identified could be lessons learnt for more comprehensive tobacco control especially by local governments in Indonesia and other countries with similar settings.

Keywords