In Indonesia, big tobacco is king

Beyond the holiday hotspot of Bali, Indonesia is not a place many of us think about much. But it’s an interesting country. Around 270 million people live there, scattered across the 18,000 plus islands that make up the country. It is also the world’s largest Muslim nation and is steadily becoming more conservative.  The median age is just over 28 years. Average annual income is about USD$3,360.

Lots of facts. Let’s add one more. Indonesia has the highest rate of male smokers on the planet. It’s one of the last great unregulated, anything goes markets for the tobacco industry.

Smoking rates are usually higher in developing countries such as Indonesia than in developed countries such as the USA. Overall, smokers in developing nations comprise 73% of the world’s smokers.

But in China, where smoking rates are also high, there is a concerted campaign by the government and health authorities to reduce smoking rates. There is evidence of some success with this. In neighbouring Malaysia, the smoking rate amongst adult males is nearly 40% less than it is in Indonesia and is in long term decline.

But the smoking rate in Indonesia remains stubbornly high. 75% of all adult males smoke in Indonesia.  Whereas smoking rates tend to be in decline in most countries, in Indonesia it is increasing. Only 56% of Indonesian adult males smoked in 2000


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