Tobacco control activists have criticized the Indonesian government after it challenged Australia’s decision to implement plain cigarette packaging, calling it a blatant act to protect the tobacco industry.
“This is very unfortunate, Indonesia should not do this, internationally Indonesia has been notoriously known as the only country in the Asia Pacific that did not sign the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), this will only make things worse,” Tara Singh Bam, the technical advisor at the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease told the Jakarta Globe on Monday.
Previously the World Trade Organization said Indonesia had made a formal request for consultations with Australia on the issue, which under the Geneva-based organization’s rules is the first step towards a full-blown trade dispute.
Indonesia is the fifth country to challenge Australia at the WTO over its pioneering legislation, passed in 2011 and in force since last December. The measures require tobacco products to be sold in drab green boxes with neutral typeface and graphic images of diseased smokers.
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