Jakarta Indonesia Ban Smoking

Smoking ban sweep picks up 20 puffers

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 11/19/2008 12:04 PM | Jakarta

ANTI-SMOKING WATCHDOG: An official from Jakarta's Environmental Agency signs a document at the Victoria Building in South Jakarta on Wednesday stating the building complies with the city's anti-smoking rules. City officials spot-checked some office buildings to make sure they were in compliance with the city's anti-smoking bylaw. JP/Ricky Yudhistira

The City Environmental Management Agency (BPLDH) has arrested 20 people found smoking in smoking-restricted areas at the Blok M bus terminal and at nearby offices during a sweep to enforce the smoking ban on Wednesday.

Picking up offenders was an effective way to control smokers at the terminal, said A. Wani Zaroni, deputy chief of the Blok M terminal management.

"Before (the smokers) wouldn't even budge when our officers reprimanded them, but with this initiative generating public awareness, we hope people will finally realize the importance of not smoking in restricted areas," he said, as quoted in kompas.com.

South Jakarta BPLDH head Joni Tagor said recent public sweeps were pre-judicial in nature, meaning offenders would only be issued a warning.

"As far as real sanctions go, we'll start applying sanctions from December 2008 onward. Right now we're just trying to raise public awareness," he said.

The city of Jakarta plans to revive its long-abandoned ban on smoking in public places with a series of enforcement actions from Nov. 17 to Nov. 27.

The restrictions on smoking were first introduced in February 2006. Violators could face a six-month jail term or a fine of up to Rp 50 million (US$4,100).

Members of civil society groups are expected to join in the randomly scheduled sweeps.