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101 East
Indonesia's growing habit
Low taxes and little regulation make the country a fertile ground for tobacco companies.
Last Modified: 11 Dec 2009 11:36 GMT



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Despite volumes of evidence linking smoking with heart disease, cancer and other illnesses, governments in the developing world are struggling to educate their people about the dangers of lighting up.

Countries like Indonesia are an attractive market for big tobacco companies with low taxes and free reign to advertise their product.

Even with 400,000 Indonesians dying each year from smoking related illnesses, the government remains reluctant to regulate.

Indonesia and North Korea are the two remaining Asian nations refusing to ratify the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which prohibits sales to minors.

On this episode of 101 East, we ask whether Indonesia can ever kick its addiction to tobacco. Geoff Thompson reports.

This episode of 101 East airs from Thursday, December 10, 2009 at the following times GMT: Thursday: 1230; Friday: 0300; Saturday: 0530, 1730; Sunday: 0330, 1130; Monday: 1630; Tuesday: 1430; Wednesday: 0830, 1930; Thursday: 0630.

Source:
Al Jazeera
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