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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2014)
ASIA / PACIFIC July 7, 2014 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 Cigarette makers ignore Indonesia label deadline By Margie Mason AP Medical Writer AKARTA, Indonesia — Tobacco compa- nies largely ignored an Indonesian deadline to put graphic health warn- ings on all cigarette packs being sold, another setback for anti-smoking efforts in a country that is home to the world’s highest rate of male smokers and a wild, wild west of advertising. Despite having a year- and-a-half to prepare warning photos that are to cover 40 percent of cigarette packs, most tobacco companies failed to meet the June 24 deadline, according to the National Commission for Child Protection. It found little sign of change in brands sold in Jakarta and 11 other cities across the sprawling archipelago. “This clearly indicates that the cigarette industry has defied Indonesian law,” said commission chair Arist Merdeka Sirait. “The government has been defeated by the cigarette industry.” Only 409 of the more than 3,300 brands owned by 672 companies nation- wide had registered the photos they plan to use on their products as of June 23, according to the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency. They were given a choice of five images last June. Health minister Nafsiah Mboi said companies that missed the deadline will be issued warnings, and those that fail to comply could eventually be fined up to $42,000 and executives could face five years in prison. Indonesia’s biggest cigarette producer, Philip Morris-owned Sampoerna, said it began distributing products with the new warnings, but needed more time to clear out existing stock. But the labels were J BRING THEM BACK. Students from St. Scholastica’s College, a Catholic school in Manila, show mes- sages on their forearms as they shout slogans and display placards during a protest outside their campus in Ma- nila, the Philippines. Thousands of Filipino students from the school joined a global campaign to free more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Islamic extremists in Nigeria, chanting “bring them back” and urging motorists in the Philippine capital to honk their car horns in solidarity. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Filipino students: Free kidnapped Nigerian girls MANILA, The Philippines (AP) — Thousands of Filipino students from a Roman Catholic-run school for girls have joined a global campaign to free more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Islamic extremists in Nigeria, chanting “bring them back” and urging motorists in the Philippine capital to honk their car horns in solidarity. About 4,000 grade school to college students and nuns of St. Scholastica’s College spilled out of their campus to line up a busy street in Manila, many of them carrying placards that read “Bring Back Our Girls” and thumping their fists in the air as they chanted. They gave commuters a statement calling for the release of the girls and affirming their belief that girls deserve to be educated. Extremists from Boko Haram — which means “western education is sinful” — Summer Run first abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria in April. Witnesses said they took 91 more people, including toddlers as young as three, in attacks on villages in that African country last month, providing fresh evidence of the military’s failure to curb an Islamic uprising and the government’s inability to provide security. The most recent victims included 60 girls and women, some of whom were married, and 31 boys, witnesses said. Celine Saplala, a nun and official of the school, said the rally was meant to appeal to the abductors and to people all over the world to free the girls and respect “their right just like anybody else to pursue their dream for an education.” “Please bring back our girls,” said senior college student Roelle Charmaine Bito. “We have the right to be educated, each and every one of us.” Retirement Apartments • Studio & One-Bedroom Apartments • Affordable Rent with No Costly Buy-Ins or Application Fees • Federal Rent Subsidies Available • Ideal Urban location near shopping, bus lines, restaurants, and more! 7810 SE Foster Road Portland, OR 97206 503 • 774 • 8885 • Enjoy our small community atmosphere that’s relaxed & friendly! LAG IN LABELLING. New packs of cigarettes displaying pictorial health warnings are arranged on a counter by a shop attendant for photographers at a convenience store in Jakarta, Indonesia. Tobacco companies largely snubbed an Indonesian law requiring them to put graphic photo warnings on all cigarette packs being sold, marking another setback in a country that is home to the world’s highest rate of male smokers and a wild, wild west of advertising. A national survey in 2012 found that 67 percent of all males over age 15 smoke. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana) supposed to be displayed on are proposed, and lobbyists shelves by June 24, Mboi maintain tight connections said. with politicians in a “We believe the govern- government rife with graft. ment will implement the Many forms of tobacco regulation consistently and advertising long banned in fairly, so as to realize a the west remain ubiqui- climate of healthy competi- tous here. Towering bill- tion among cigarette boards and LED screens manufacturers, as well as scream messages such as, providing clear informa- “Marlboro Ice Blast ... tion about the impact of crush it, unleash it.” At the smoking on health,” main international airport, Sampoerna spokesman a bright blue advertise- Tommy Hersyaputera said. ment for Clas mild Indonesia has a long cigarettes urges, “Act Now! history of delaying tobacco Talk less do more.” Tobacco regulations. The graphic commercials are still on warnings stem from health television, and although regulations that passed in new regulations ban 2009, though it wasn’t until sponsorship of events, 18 months ago that a some companies have specific decree was issued continued that practice. for implementation. And Tobacco-related illnesses Indonesia is one of the few kill at least 200,000 each countries that has not year in the country, which joined a World Health has a population of around Organization tobacco 240 million. A national treaty. The order has taken survey in 2012 found that years to reach President 67 percent of all males over Susilo Bambang age 15 smoke — the Yudhoyono’s desk, and he world’s highest rate — still has not signed it. He while 35 percent of the total will leave office in October population lights up, after elections this month. surpassed only by Russia. Tobacco control is Most Indonesian men particularly contentious in buy strong and pungent Indonesia, the world’s kreteks, filled with a mix of fifth-largest cigarette tobacco and cloves. But producer and a growth so-called white cigarettes, market for the industry. such as U.S.-based Philip Farmers hold rowdy Morris International’s protests when restrictions Continued on page 7 Lucky 21 Casino Dragon Bonus Baccarat w Fortune Pai Gow Poker w Blackjack w Spanish 21 Lucky Ladies Jackpot w Ultimate Texas Hold’em w Video Poker w And More Hiring: Experienced Vietnamese Cook SPIN THE WHEEL FOR CASH & PRIZES w Every Friday: $888.00 top prize! Old members & new members Stay & gamble for 2 hours Check-in time: 11am to 10pm Drawing time: 3pm to midnight w Every Monday & Wednesday: $388.00 top prize! First come, first served Check-in time: 1pm to 6:30pm SUMMER OUTDOOR BBQ Money Blower Drawing Every Saturday at 9:30am Every Tuesday & Thursday, starts at 2:00pm Featuring Chinese, American, and Vietnamese barbeque styles Starting 7/05/2014. Must be a member & present to win. Inquire for details. 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