Smoking in Indonesia

The practice was to roll, by hand, a compound of tobacco, cloves and cocoa in a dry corn husk wrap, which gives a honeyed flavour.

It was Nitisemito who introduced cigarette papers in place of corn husk; following this simple innovation, a Kretek manufacturing factory was opened in Sumatra.

The first brand of cigarette produced in this factory, "Bal Tiga" (three balls), became very popular, and as result, the economy of Kudus prospered.

[8] The inventor popularized his brand of cigarettes through a concerted media campaign, even establishing his own radio station for the purpose.

Intense competition (25 manufactures are now reported in the city and its suburbs) combined with poor management resulted in his eventual financial failure, when he died in 1953.

[13] Some countries (such as the United States) have banned marketing flavoured cigarettes (including kreteks), as these are often seen as more appealing to the youth.

The Indonesian Department of Health reported in 2000 that 200,000 people are affected by cancer every year but eugenols exact relation to smoking has not been evaluated.

Indonesia has one of the highest smoking rates in the world and is currently one of the biggest producers of tobacco worldwide,[15] with Malaysia and the United States being two of their important markets.

[16] There are hundreds of tobacco companies in the country, with Gudang Garam, Djarum, Sampoerna, Bentoel and Wismilak dominating the Indonesian market share.

All these factors, plus its low cost, have contributed to the extensive proliferation of cigarette smoking in Indonesia among people of all ages.

[21] In addition to television and outdoor advertisements, sporting events and music concerts sponsored by cigarette brands or companies also occur.

Smoking in trains of state company PT Kereta Api Indonesia has been banned as of 1 March 2012.

Hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, places of worship, healthcare facilities and schools are to be smoke-free areas.