Indonesia outlaws sale of cigarettes to under 21, online advertisements

Indonesia on Wednesday banned the sale of cigarettes to people under the age of 21, as well as cigarette advertisements on websites, apps, and social media platforms, local media said.

The minimum age has been raised from 18 to 21, and the sale of individual tobacco products has been prohibited, except for cigars and electronic cigarettes, the Jakarta Globe reported.

The new regulations signed by President Joko Widodo also require tobacco packaging to contain at least 20 cigarettes and limit sliced tobacco packaging to a maximum of 50 grams, as cigarette packs currently vary in content, including 12, 16, and 20 cigarettes, the daily added.

The government has also banned cigarette advertisements on all social media platforms, including websites and apps.

Under the new regulations, cigarettes will not be sold within 200 meters of educational institutions or children's play areas.

According to a health survey conducted in 2023, smoking among 10- 18-year-olds has dropped to 7.4% from 9.1% in 2018, while e-cigarette use has increased from 0.06% to 0.13%.