The discourse on forming a Regional Regulation (Perda) regarding Smoke-Free Zones (KTR) in Jember Regency continues to draw serious attention. While projected to strengthen public health protection, this regulation is also required to consider its impact on the tobacco economic sector, which is one of the region's main pillars.
Chairman of the PDI Perjuangan Faction of the Jember DPRD, Cahyo, emphasized that the proposed regulation must be studied carefully and comprehensively. Given Jember's position as one of the largest tobacco producers in East Java, he assessed that a rushed policy risks disrupting the stability of the people's economy.
According to Cahyo, the fate of hundreds of thousands of farmers, farm laborers, and tobacco product industry workers must not be ignored. If the economic aspects of the community are sidelined solely to pursue health targets, the social loss impact would be very real and potentially counterproductive.
To this end, the Jember DPRD requested that the local government open a wide channel of communication for all stakeholders in the discussion of the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on KTR. With cross-sector involvement, it is hoped that a harmonious policy will emerge that is capable of maintaining public health while preserving the existence of the local tobacco industry.
The proposed KTR regulation was initiated by the Advocacy Team from the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) of the University of Jember. The draft academic paper and the draft regional regulation have been officially submitted to the Jember Regency Health Office since October 2025 as the scientific basis for discussing the policy.
