Regulation of the Coordinating Minister Sets New Maximum Nicotine and Tar Levels

The Ministry of Health (“Ministry”) has proposed new maximum nicotine and tar levels for tobacco products in the Regulation of the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (“Regulation”). This is a follow-up to Regulation of the Government No. 28 of 2024 (“Regulation 28/2024”) on the Implementing Regulation to Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health.

"The Ministry’s proposal is in line with the recommendations of a team of experts who have conducted a study, namely a maximum nicotine level of 1 milligram and a maximum tar level of 10 milligrams," said Benget Saragih, Chair of the Working Team of Tobacco-Related Disease Control, to Hukumonline.

This proposal will be implemented gradually over five years, especially for kretek cigarette products. This decision is expected to enable tobacco farmers to grow tobacco with a nicotine level of 1 milligram, as the current nicotine level in tobacco can reach 6 milligrams.

"Only kretek cigarettes are problematic. For electronic cigarettes and white cigarettes, the average nicotine level is currently 1 milligram," said Benget.