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Behind the "Tobacco War" Indonesia-US
The Indonesian government bans the circulation of suspected clove cigarettes in the United States is not purely done to prevent children from becoming smokers. Indonesia bans suspect had other interests.
In the claim posted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in June 2010, the Indonesian government protested the U.S. policy on the prohibition of tobacco products that contain additional additives, such as cloves. Indonesia argued that the policy discriminatory.
Food and Drug Agency (FDA) and the U.S. began to impose ban on the circulation of "clove cigarettes" since September 2009. This is a follow-up of the Law which was signed by President Barack Obama in June 2009 on Tobacco Control. Under the Act, the FDA has the authority to regulate tobacco.
"Tobacco is a gateway for many scented children and young adults to become regular tobacco users," said Lawrence R. Deyton, director of the FDA as quoted by the Associated Press in September 2009.
Citing a study, Deyton said the one who started smoking at age 17 years has tripled the opportunity to continue smoking than those aged 25 years. In addition, nearly 90 percent of adult smokers began smoking as teenagers.
On that basis, the FDA ban cigarettes are considered a "teaser for beginners' and thus become addicted to as smokers. For this reason, the FDA's interest to protect young children from the dangers of smoking.
However, behind the protective measures, the government of Indonesia, as quoted from www.wto.org, assume there are other intentions behind the ban. Therefore, the ban does not apply to cigarettes, such as menthol cigarettes known as "Marlboro".
In addition, Altria Group Inc., the controlling Philip Morris USA, one of the largest white cigarette manufacturers based in the United States Richmond, Virginia is a proponent of the Act. Altria is a competitor for the original Indonesian clove cigarette manufacturers. With the ban, of course, cigarette exports to the United States blocked.
"U.S. Congress has openly supported a domestic product compared to imported products," said Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States in June 2009 as quoted by Bloomberg, and several other media.
Indonesian Ambassador protests were submitted to the senate leader Harry Reid, a Democrat. Sudjanan convey the threat of Indonesia will submit a claim to the WTO, if the verdict were to become law. Now after a year had passed, proved Indonesia is filed to the WTO.
source: http://id.news.yahoo.com
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