Despite what you may think, there are actually laws in Indonesia regulating tobacco advertisements, including what kinds of events cigarette companies can endorse.
Anti-smoking groups are urging the mayor of Bogor, Bima Arya Sugiarto, to formally apologize to his citizens for breaking those regulations by allowing tobacco company Djarum to sponsor a badminton competition in his city.
“This is in clear violation of regional regulations. The Mayor of Bogor should apologize to the citizens, as a sanction for violating legislation by allowing a tobacco company to sponsor a sporting events,” Acep Suhaemi, chairman of the NGO No Tobacco Control, as quoted by Tribunnews.
In addition to demanding the mayor apologize to the people in Bogor, the anti-smoking groups urged the mayor to prosecute those involved in allowing Djarum to sponsor the event.
Acep also said the opening of the National Circuit Djarum Badminton Championship, which began with a gala dinner at City Hall, tarnished the image of the city government, as they allowed billboards and other ads for Djarum to be plastered all over Bogor’s City Hall.
