Reform of Article 46 Paragraph (3) Letter C of the Broadcasting Law Regarding the Phrase "Prohibition of Advertisements Demonstrating the Form of Cigarettes": Comparative Study With Singapore

Abstract

<em>This study has been motivated by the weaknesses in the formulation of the Article 46 Paragraph (3) Letter c of Broadcasting Law No. 32 of 2002, which bans only those cigarette ads showing the shapes of cigarettes and leaves room for the tobacco industry to practice indirect advertisement. The focus of this research is to assess the enforcement of limitations on cigarette promotion in broadcasting law and to explore the legal modification of c of Broadcasting Law Article 46 paragraph 3. The method of the study is a normative juridical approach and comparative law method. The findings reveal that current laws in Indonesia have been ineffective in controlling the increase of the smoking population, among the youth in particular, due to a number of issues that the tobacco industry exploits. In contrast, smoking problems are much less prevalent in Singapore which has imposed more stringent policies. Most importantly, the research also discusses that ineffective regulation in Indonesia results from poor enforcement and light punishments offered for violations of the law. Therefore,there is need for restructuring section Article 46 Paragraph (3) Letter c of the Broadcasting Law, by promoting a bitter pill approach towards cigarette advertising, in addition to the current ineffectual position interrogated, to enhance public health.</em>