City smokers confused about puffing ban
Adianto P. Simamora,
The Jakarta Post, 5 feb
Jakarta
Jakartans beware, the new laws on smoking in public places are now in effect – at least in theory.
Starting Saturday, Jakartans are now prohibited from smoking cigarettes in a range of public places and enclosed spaces.
The ban in the 2005 Bylaw on air pollution control, outlaws people smoking in shopping malls, restaurants, bus terminals, buses, trains, taxis, public minivans, airports, offices, hotels, schools and universities.
And in a most unusual move, which could outdo even Singapore in terms of city strictness, officials have banned smoking entirely on two city streets – Jl. Sudirman and Jl. M.H. Thamrin – places they call pilot areas for the ban.
Those caught smoking in all restricted areas risk a six-month jail term and a Rp 50 million fine.
Governor Sutiyoso said Friday that some 1,000 officials would be out on Jakarta’s streets to monitor the implementation of the ban.
One official, Ali, told the Jakarta Post on Saturday he had caught many pedestrians puffing in the pilot areas.
However, in the ban’s early stages, officials were only asking smokers to put out their cigarettes and giving them a warning, he said.
“This morning we found many people are still smoking here,” Ali said.
Ardi, 25, a resident of Ciracas in East Jakarta, was observed by the Post calmly lighting a cigarette shortly after jumping off a public bus on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta.
“Is the ban effective today?,” he nervously asked when he saw a public order official, flicking away his newly lit cigarette.
“I know about the ban but it’s still not clear to me how it will be imposed,” he told the Post.
A guilty Ardi admitted to having already smoked two cigarettes on the bus from East Jakarta to Jl. Sudirman.
“But nobody stopped me. I saw the bus driver smoking as well,” he said.
Deni from Bintaro, South Jakarta, was spotted puffing near the busway shelter in Tosari, Central Jakarta.
Bemused when told of the blanket street ban, he said he did not care about any sanctions or warnings he might receive.
“I can’t believe that smoking is prohibited along Jl. Sudirman or Jl. M.H. Thamrin. In my understanding, the regulation is only being implemented inside buildings or public places, such as hospitals or places of worship,” he said.
A pair of ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers near the Setia Budi busway shelter on Jl. Sudirman also kept smoking and chatting unmolested.
Health experts have said it would likely take time for people to get used to the ban. Its effectiveness, they said, would depend on how rigorously the ban was enforced. The bylaw on air pollution also obligates vehicle owners to have their vehicle exhaust emissions regularly tested.