Illegal Cigarette Sales and Tax Evasion in Magelang, Indonesia

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.11.2024
Illegal Cigarette Sales and Tax Evasion in Magelang, Indonesia
Illegal cigarette sales continue in Magelang City, Central Java, Indonesia, despite the government's increasing tobacco taxes.

According to a January 9 report by the Indonesian newspaper "KOMPAS," despite the government's ongoing efforts to increase cigarette taxes, there is still illegal sale of cigarettes occurring in Magelang City, located in Central Java Province. In these locations, some illegal cigarettes are using counterfeit tax stamps.

 

Since January 2024, the government has implemented an upgraded tobacco tax rate policy. According to Regulation No. 191 issued by the Ministry of Finance in 2022, the tobacco tax for traditional cigarettes has increased on average by 10%, while the tax rate for e-cigarettes has risen by an average of 15%. Additionally, the average tax rate for other tobacco products has increased to 6%.

 

This policy has prompted some smokers to reconsider their expenses, such as 33-year-old Fajar Dharmawan. He stated that due to the increase in tobacco taxes in 2021, he has turned to the relatively more affordable option of e-cigarettes.

 

Although this tax policy may seem to swiftly restrain user behavior, its objective is not only to control health issues caused by cigarettes but also to increase government revenue.

 

The Indonesian tobacco industry aims to achieve a tax revenue target of 230.4 trillion rupees in 2023, accounting for 95% of the total tobacco tax revenues for that year.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Russian State Duma passes first reading of bill to ban tobacco and e-cigarette sales at public transport stops
Russian State Duma passes first reading of bill to ban tobacco and e-cigarette sales at public transport stops
Russia's State Duma passes first reading of bill banning tobacco and e-cigarette sales at public transport stops. (20 words)
Oct.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Teen Nicotine Use Surges in Pakistan as Flavoured Vapes Spread Rapidly
Teen Nicotine Use Surges in Pakistan as Flavoured Vapes Spread Rapidly
Pakistan is experiencing a sharp rise in nicotine use among teenagers, driven by widespread availability of flavoured vapes and e-cigarettes. Cheap, sweet-flavoured devices are easily accessible in major cities, and weak enforcement of age limits has enabled young users to adopt vaping at alarming rates. Activists warn that industry marketing falsely portrays e-cigarettes as “safer,” putting youth at risk of long-term addiction and serious health effects.
Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | 2× “2+10” configuration, rated 36,000 puffs — VOZOL launches NEON PLUG MAX
Product | 2× “2+10” configuration, rated 36,000 puffs — VOZOL launches NEON PLUG MAX
VOZOL has listed a new product, NEON PLUG MAX, on its official website, featuring dual 2 ml prefilled pods and dual 10 ml refill bottles (24 ml total), a claimed maximum of 36,000 puffs, and two-flavour switching. The device was previously shown at InterTabac 2025 and was listed by the UK MHRA in March 2025; however, as of publication it was not yet available on overseas retail sites.
Oct.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
ceshi1111
ceshi1111
Trusted by industry leaders and innovators, ARAC brings unmatched expertise in Modules 5 & 6, including label and claim development, comprehension testing, human factors/usability, and clinical-behavioral research such as actual use and switching studies. These studies generate the robust, real-world evidence needed to evaluate whether products are “Appropriate for the Protection of Public Health” (APPH) -- including randomized experimental longitudinal, actual use, cohort st
Oct.21
Lao Shuts Down Nearly 300 Online Vape Stores in Joint Crackdown with WHO and Meta
Lao Shuts Down Nearly 300 Online Vape Stores in Joint Crackdown with WHO and Meta
In a coordinated effort with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Meta, the Lao Ministry of Health has taken 288 online e-cigarette stores with more than 759,599 members offline, reinforcing the country’s total ban on e-cigarettes under the National Tobacco Control Law.
Nov.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Malaysia Reports Q3 Results: Net Profit Plummets 89.5%, Stock Price Drops 15%
BAT Malaysia Reports Q3 Results: Net Profit Plummets 89.5%, Stock Price Drops 15%
BAT Malaysia's Q3 results show a sharp 89.5% drop in net profit to RM7 million (approximately $150,000 USD), with revenue also falling to RM300 million (approximately $6.4 million USD). The company attributed the decline to new regulatory requirements, including pictorial health warnings and the retail display ban. Its stock dropped 15.25% to RM4.78 (approximately $1.02 USD).
Oct.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai