Jakarta - The Ministry of Health stated that the cost burden incurred to cover diseases caused by smoking in most regions is higher than the revenue from cigarette advertising taxes.
"The tax from cigarette advertising in the region is only around Rp150 million, while their expenditure for diseases caused by cigarettes is approximately Rp5.4 billion," said the Head of the Tobacco Disease Control Working Team of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) dr. Benget Saragih in a media meeting in Jakarta, Thursday.
He also stated that based on statements from the heads of health services in 50 districts/cities, the largest household expenditure in their areas was for cigarettes, higher than other household expenditures such as healthy food containing protein.