Encouraging tobacco control using national multisectoral ministerial mandate and priorities in Indonesia

Abstract

Background and challenges to implementation Indonesia remains as one of the highest tobacco consuming countries. While there is intention by Ministry of Health to bring tobacco control as national multi-sectoral priority; still there is a need to find strategic platforms within the non-health sectors that can provide policy shifts for tobacco control ownership within the mandates of these Ministries. Intervention or response During the period 2014 to 2017, WHO Indonesia have collaborated with various national Ministries, including Ministry of Human Rights and Law, Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Culture, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Women empowerment and Child Protection, and Ministry of National Planning. This strategic cohesion opened doors to discuss tobacco control as a policy measure beyond the conventional domains of health; also bringing tobacco control in the broader non-health paradigm such as demographic transition, Human Rights , taxation reforms, International trade and Health. Results and lessons learnt This initial collaboration has resulted in improving perception of tobacco control as a multisectoral issue. The Ministries have understood the need to include tobacco control under their mandated policy frameworks; e.g. Ministry of Law and Human Rights now already considering to put tobacco control as part of annual National Action Plan on Human Rights; Ministry of Finance considering taxation on tobacco as part of longer term reform agenda; Ministry of Planning has started thinking on the lines of developing a multisectoral strategy for tobacco control. Conclusions and key recommendations In countries having strong tobacco industry influence, tobacco control issue needs to be brought forward within larger policy mandates of non-health sector ministries, using their national priorities. Intergovernmental organizations as well as other partners and organizations working on tobacco control should expand reach out to sectors beyond health, establish and encourage dialogue; and help develop ownership of these sectors on specific policy interventions that directly or indirectly support implementation of key policy measures for tobacco control.

Keywords

• WCTOH