TOBACCO FARMERS ASSOCIATION AGAINST MUHAMMADIYAH'S NO-SMOKING EDICT

Jember, March 16 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Tobacco Farmers Association (APTI) opposes Muhammadiyah's non-smoking edict issued last Tuesday (March 9), a source said.

"I regret the declaration since it will have a negative impact on the social and economy sectors," APTI chairman Abdus Setyawan, said here on Tuesday.

He argued the decision would affect around 700,000 tobacco farmers nationwide who were planting the total of 200,000 hectares of land with the total production of 160,000-200,000 tons of tobacco per year.

"The edict is opposed not only by tobacco farmers but also those who work in the cigarette industry," said the Jember district's Secretary for Tobacco Affair.

However, he predicted the edict would not lower the farmer's enthusiasm to plant tobacco. In fact, he added, in some areas planting tobacco was a heredity occupation which could not be replaced by any other job.

"I expect Muhammadiyah will review the declaration since previously the law for smoking was Makruh (should be avoided)," he said.

Jember district is known as one of the tobacco producer in Indonesia where half of its product is exported abroad.

In 2009, Jember produced 15,938 tons of tobacco. The number was decreased compared to the previous years' of 17,730 tons.

Before, Muhammadiyah's chairman, Din Syamsuddin, said the recently issued edict was still constituted a legal view. It had not yet become a decision of the Majlis Tarjih which would be effective nationally.

According to plan, he said, the Central Board of the Majlis Tarjih will discuss the problem at a national meeting so that it could become an official decision by Muhammadiyah as a whole.