Smokers Raided in Jakarta

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Around 30 people were caught violating smoking bans at Blok M Bus Terminal and Blok M Mall shopping center. They were caught in an Anti-cigarette Raid carried out by the South Jakarta Regional Environment Control Agency (BPLHD) yesterday.

The Jakarta administration is carrying out the raids in five areas of the capital city until November 27, beginning yesterday.

The smokers caught included bus passengers and drivers, and shoppers at Blok M. BPLHD officers only listed their identities, explained about the non-smoking areas, and confiscated the cigarette ends as proof. “We did not penalize them,” South Jakarta BPLHD chief, Joni Tagor told Tempo at the Blok M Bus Terminal area.

He said the Anti-cigarette Raid is still under the pre-judicial operation. Penalties will start to be applied in early December. Penalties for smokers will be according to Regional Regulation no. 2/2005 on Air Control and Pollution and Governor Regulation no. 75/2005 on Non-smoking Areas. “This will be a Rp 50 million fine or six months imprisonment,” said Joni.

Jakarta deputy governor Prijanto said Jakarta citizens should become aware of the smoking ban since it was first publicized. “First we publicly announce the penalties then we execute them,” he said yesterday.

Blok M Mall managers admit that many visitors are still violating the rules. “We have in fact prepared two smoking areas, one at the terminal lobby and the other in the basement,” said Blok M Mall marketing manager Dumaria Sinaga.

A mall visitor was shocked when he got caught. “This doesn’t usually happen,” said Samir Sana, 42, from Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta. He promised to obey the no-smoking area ban and smoke only in permitted smoking areas.

Environment Health researcher from the University of Indonesia’s Health Faculty, Emma Hermawati, who assisted in the operation, said most of today’s smokers in Indonesia are in the growing age. “Even fourth graders now smoke,” she said. Therefore, the campaigns will still continue until people become aware of the issue.