| US Hypocrisy and Kretek |
|
|
Tag it:
| Written by Philip Bowring | |
| Wednesday, 09 September 2009 | |
 Kretek are ousted from the US while American tobacco interests merrily peddle their wares overseas
Indonesians should turn their attention away from Malaysian theft of their culture to American maltreatment of a rather different national icon – the kretek cigarette. As of October 1 it will become a criminal offense in the supposedly free United States to sell kretek, the clove-enhanced cigarette dear to most Indonesian smokers and increasingly to foreigners. Indonesia should take this behavior to the World Trade Organisation. The country which in the name of free trade has for decades ensured that its tobacco companies are foisted on the world has the temerity to ban somebody else's exports to the US. It should be acknowledged that kretek are no picnic, and that the US ban goes well beyond kretek to other tobacco products as well. According to studies, kretek are made up of 60 to 80 percent tobacco, 20 t0 40 percent ground cloves, clove oil and other additives, although the studies point out that they do not contain the thousands of toxic chemicals that conventional cigarettes are packed with. This ban is not being done to protect domestic commercial interests. Kretek sales in the US are scarcely big enough to worry the big companies. They account for less than 1 percent of US cigarette sales. The ban on kretek is a product of an out-of-control US Food and Drug Administration which has been given authoritarian powers to declare tobacco products illegal, though illogically it cannot ban pure tobacco products, which take in US$1.5 billion in US exports annually according to the latest data. In this case it is resorting to banning "flavored" cigarettes on the theory that flavoring adds to their appeal to the young. But this being the US, where big companies can buy their way around rules imposed by self-assuming health bureaucrats, menthol is exempted from the US flavoring ban. American tobacco purveyors sell plenty of menthol cigarettes, and they sell more of them to the young. According to US statistics, in 2006 almost 44 percent of smokers aged 12 to 17 years smoked menthol cigarettes, 36 percent aged 18 to 24 reported smoking menthol cigarettes and more than 30 percent of those over 35 reported smoking them. Perhaps significantly, the small market for kretek in the US is dominated by Djarum, which is still Indonesian-owned and not a US concern. The multinational giants meanwhile have already moved on Indonesia, with Philip Morris acquiring Sampoerna, and British American Tobacco Indonesia, long a local manufacturer of white cigarettes, acquiring Bentoel. Ironically, back in 2004 Philip Morris had not opposed a proposed ban on kretek in the US for the cynical reason that it did not make any. The hypocrisy of the US is stunning. According to a study by Frank J. Chaloupka and Adit Laixuthai for the National Bureau of Economic Research, the US in the 1980s and 1990s used Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act to force open the cigarette markets of Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand. "Estimates from fixed-effects models indicate that the market share of US cigarettes in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand increased dramatically after the agreements as consumers switched from the brands produced by domestic monopolies to the brands of US cigarette producers," Chaloupka and Laixuthai wrote. "In addition, simulations based on the regression results indicate that per capita cigarette consumption in 1991 in the four affected countries was nearly 10 percent higher than it would have been had the markets remained closed to U.S. cigarettes." Sure enough, Japan remains the biggest importer of US manufactured tobacco products, spending US$954 million on US cigarettes annually, followed by Saudi Arabia, Israel, Lebanon and, improbably, Iran at No. 5 despite the restraints on trade between the two countries. The ban is also a blow, albeit a minor one, to the hand-rolled kretek industry which provides for thousands of poor Indonesians. It suggests a do-gooding zealotry on the part of the anti-smoking lobby worthy if not of the Taliban at least of Malaysia's beer-banning fanatics – and without even a religious text to rely on. In fact smoking disease patterns suggest that American-style flue-cured, Virginia tobacco with chemical additives which are the most dangerous cigarettes – certainly compared with the air-cured black tobacco ones such as France's traditional Gauloises and Gitanes. The ban on kretek is discriminatory. One can be sure that if cloves were grown in the US there would be no such ban. As it is, Indonesians might think a reasonable riposte would be to ban all US-brand name colas until the kretek ban is lifted. After all, who knows what noxious substances are in Coca-Cola? The formula is a secret. Comments
(23)
...
written by disgusted American , November 16, 2009
I am completely disgusted that they got away with this ban on cloves. I enjoyed my cloves for many years and then they were ripped out from under me with very short notice. WEhen I heard about the ban I orderd 2 cartons from Indonesia and US Customs held them way longer than the law allows (45) days. They held them until the ban went into effect and my cloves were never delivered to me. We the people need to stop these insane law makers from taking our rights away.
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
I can't believe this..what next?
written by surfbeat64 , October 21, 2009
Unbelievable! The bottom line is, my Cloves are banned because they taste good. This ban actually means that anything that is enhanced for enjoyment is bad.
Votes: +1
This is really crazy. What’s next? Will you only be able to purchase straight hard booze because anything else that has an added flavor to it is too enticing? Or maybe porn should also be banned because it enhances the thought of sex or masturbation. We should probably take any sweetening out of some foods too so they don’t taste good because to many people are fat. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Bill undermines itself
written by Duddy , October 21, 2009
Read the entire bill. Read it well. What they did was against the bill therefore the bill is void. Lets FDA regulate tobacco. Big deal they have been for years. They also ban the FDA from banning tobacco products. WTF??? How can they ban kreteks? They're made from tobacco making them a tobacco product. Bunch of bs, talk about scandal and a half who gave Obama alot of support for becoming the president and "helped" his compain? The same crack dealers that now have an open markets, Philip Morris. 1 word monopoly. Why havent they been seperated yet? And a word for the president, Do you like your menthols? I know kids like em more that the harsh kreteks...
Votes: +2
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Mixed Bag
written by Evelyn , October 17, 2009
This is mixed news for me personally.
Votes: +1
1) I stopped smoking recntly becuase I was not feeling well - and cigs did not appeal. (GOOD) 2) The few times I was tempted to start again, there were no kretics ANYWHERE, hmmmm . . . good for me (since they are the only cigs I like and will smoke, I'm not a huge nicotine addict) but rotten policy! 3) While I don't like cigs and booze marketed to kids in the US - kretics are as "standard issue" (in my opinion) as menthols. SO -- BRING KRETICS BACK because it's the right thing to do - but let it take just a little longer so I'm sure I'm not tempted any longer (how is THAT for a self serving point of view! ;-))) report abuse
vote down
vote up
Get it online
written by Roger , October 11, 2009
Since there's no way I can get the Djarum at the local store, I went to get it online from www.mykretek.com. The good has arrived safely last week without any problem at the customs.
Votes: +1
report abuse
vote down
vote up
money talks
written by tempo dulu , October 06, 2009
Congress can ban clove cigarettes but they wouldn't dare ban white cigarettes cos the legislators regulary receive payments from companies like Phillip Morris (who gave the legislators $3.9 million in 2Q alone).
Votes: +1
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Selective banning, indeed!
written by pissed off , October 01, 2009
I find this issue infuriating, as the government is taking away my right to smoke a FLAVORED CIGARETTE! When I was a teenager flavor wasn't the appeal, being cool with my peers was. And if they really want to take away things that "entice" teens, then flavored alcohol should be next. At least cigarettes don't impair judgement. I love how our government can ok abortions, alcohol, and the likes, yet ban something as stupid and miniscule as flavored tobacco. And talk about hypocrisy, our own president smokes cigs! He is infiltrating way too much of the government and it's control into our own personal lives. I can't wait till his 4 years are over!
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
...
written by Ben , September 26, 2009
I am writing to inform you that I believe that my Constitutional Rights are being violated by the recent ban on Kreteks. I agree wholeheartedly that tobacco usage should continue to be regulated and NEVER sold to minors. However, clumping brands such as Djarum in a ban is ludicrous to say the least! Make the sale of these regulated to Liquor Stores and Smoke shops, which always check (and even scan) identification. An all out ban on this product makes no sense! If you say it's a health issue, then ban ALL cigarettes... it's like saying, you may consume rum, but not any produced in Jamaica or smoke any cigar but a Cuban!
Votes: +5
I urge you to vote NO on S. 1147 aka the "PACT Act" And I will produce a short narrative to explain my reasoning. Let me preface this by stating that I do realize that smoking is dangerous to ones health. In fact, I have been in a tapering off progression towards quitting that has been working. I have been smoking Djarum Specials exclusively for nearly 10 years and was of legal age when I began. I have gone from more than a pack a day to less than 1/2 a pack a day (mostly due to the added taxes). I usually purchase by the carton from the same gas station about a 20 minute drive from my house. Djarums are hard to find in the marketplace. Well since I have cut back it has been some time since I had made a purchase. Much to my dismay, I was informed that they were no longer able to order the only cigarette that I have or will ever smoke. This took me by surprise, I had no idea that I blanket ban was made. Panicked by addiction I drove to places that I knew sold them and alas, there was none to be found. I finally tried searching the internet and found an online retailer. I was amazed by the amount of security is in place in order to place an order. They required a drivers license number, last 4 of social, address which was cross referenced... on top of that, for some reason my current address was not listed as primary so there were 4 additional questions that I had to answer that proved it was me... not only this, they require an adult signature upon delivery. They notified upon checkout that sadly, despite doing their due diligence in providing a secure check out system, that the government would likely be shutting them down. Yes I plan on quitting, but I would like to do it on my terms! If any studies are done, I hope you note the longer burn time, as while lighting up with friends who smoke domestic brands, I would still be smoking the first one when they light up and nearly finish the second. In fact, I will often smoke half, then save the second half for later. I smoke Djarum Specials which are never marketed especially to children! Plus they are considerably more expensive than cigarettes, and thus not going to be sought after by minors either. Please forgive this long statement of my feelings and understand that it is wrong to blanket group an Indonesian Specialty Export and at the same time ignore domestic brands... it is hypocritical! report abuse
vote down
vote up
...
written by Tiffany Necklaces , September 26, 2009
Now drug dealers everywhere can rejoice! You can make exorbitant profits selling illegal cloves. Replacing a 140 million dollar a year legal business with a 350 million dollar a year illegal market. I was always scared to buy cloves from my local specialty retailer due to the fact that they are safe, have a nice atmosphere, are legal, cheap and convenient. The crack dealer in my neighborhood is much better, just last night he shot someone for getting out of line! People need to be dominated and abused or whats the point? Now I can flip my smokes to friends who are afraid of Crakman Jones and make goobs of quick money. How do I search the net to find high schools to market too?
Votes: +1
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Freedom?
written by NoNameForJason , September 23, 2009
as an american "djarum special" smoker, the ban came outta nowhere and knocked me to the floor.. clove cigarettes are a chill alternative to tobacco and im upset that now my only option is online importing. BLACKMARKET CLOVES A-PLENTY. but this wasnt obamas decision, as someone who has been paying close attention to his policies ill tell you his focus is elsewhere.. this was based on ignorant voting by the fda, and implemented without reason. take away "flavored" cigarettes and teens will find something else to smoke.. congratulations fda. youve saved americas youth from tobacco and opened the door for mrs mary jane.
Votes: +3
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Order online
written by Chalino , September 22, 2009
http://www.clovecigarettesstore.com/ has worked for me since late July, when I was no longer able to get kreteks in New Mexico. I just place another order today and found out the ban went into effect today. Don't know if my cloves will be seized at customs in San Francisco.
Votes: +2
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Awesome!
written by Maorz , September 22, 2009
Now drug dealers everywhere can rejoice! You can make exorbitant profits selling illegal cloves. Replacing a 140 million dollar a year legal business with a 350 million dollar a year illegal market. I was always scared to buy cloves from my local specialty retailer due to the fact that they are safe, have a nice atmosphere, are legal, cheap and convenient. The crack dealer in my neighborhood is much better, just last night he shot someone for getting out of line! People need to be dominated and abused or whats the point? Now I can flip my smokes to friends who are afraid of Crakman Jones and make goobs of quick money. How do I search the net to find high schools to market too?
Votes: +2
Thanks report abuse
vote down
vote up
GO TO....
written by Mary Witherspoon , September 19, 2009
All I did was go to www.ask.com and typed in "Where can I buy clove cigarettes online?" and several websites popped up. I don't know if you're from America, but stupid ass Obama!! Although now my beloved cloves are actually cheaper. Still, I had to pay with Western Union because Master Card won't let you buy tobacco products online and that's all I had (stupid Master Card!).
Votes: +0
I hope that someday cloves are sold in America again when all this madness with Obama, who is an idiot, is over. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Where can i order them??
written by shannon , September 19, 2009
PLEASE tell me the website where i can order cloves in Indonesia!
Votes: +0
Thanks!!!! report abuse
vote down
vote up
Fer Cryin' Out Loud!!
written by Mary Witherspoon , September 17, 2009
I'm an American, and mad as anyone about the ban. You could have dropped me with a feather the first time I found out about it, and now I'm doing as many Americans are doing and ordering my beloved cloves directly from Indonesia.
Votes: -1
What annoys just as much, however, is seeing all the bashing towards the USA and Americans in general. We're the most generous nation in the world! And even though our government right now is out of control and totally sucking, We The People are working on it. I'm always surprised at the vitriol I see from other countries just because we're the best (I'm laughing right now at my own joke, thank you). report abuse
vote down
vote up
no surprise
written by Shan , September 14, 2009
As a non-US resident and every-now-and-again-Kretek smoker I am surprised they've actually been on the market until now...
Votes: +1
...because many major European countries had already banned Kreteks in the 80s in accordance with respective "health regulations". Hypocrisy, now doubt (the "old-style" air-cured black Gitanes and Gauloises have also almost disappeared from the European markets), but here we are in the consumer market of 2009... However, the US market was SMALL for Kretek cigarettes, anyway, so the loss for the Kretek manufacturers will be manageable. Perhaps the manufacturers should simply adjust their marketing and point out how much chemical sh*t those american "virginia premium tobacco" brands contain...? report abuse
vote down
vote up
Correction
written by Mattox S , September 14, 2009
Actually, the ban was not enacted by the FDA. The FDA has NO such powers to declare anything illegal. The act that banned "flavored" cigarettes (excluding menthol) also gave the FDA the power to more closely regulate that advertising and permissible composition of domestic cigarettes as well. This bill was the only politically safe step Congress could have taken against the tobacco industry. The fact that it limits foreign sales is simply a side note. It's all we could have gotten away with.
Votes: -2
Don't get me wrong, as a dedicated kretek smoker myself I'm fairly pissed. But this isn't the blatant protectionism that everyone seems to think it is, at least not purposefully. As the article itself pointed out, kreteks account for LESS THAN 1% OF SALES. That to me is a fairly compelling argument to believe Congress when they claim that their banning is to limit their appeal to children, rather than protect domestic companies from competition. report abuse
vote down
vote up
ridiculous
written by woooooober , September 11, 2009
as an american kretek smoker, i'm as infuriated by this bogus regulation as everyone else. these power-hungry regimes in our government are as exasperating to americans as they are to the rest of the world. which is to say, i understand a lot of anger at america, but please recognize something: we, the people, are no longer really represented by the bogus bureaucracy in washington. this arrogant and irrational ban is no better for us than it is for the rest of the world.
Votes: +4
report abuse
vote down
vote up
To my great American friends, Lowly rated comment [Show]
Typical US Behavior
written by Rico Gustav , September 11, 2009
I'm Indonesian but I'm not really surprise of these kind of attitude from the US . Double standards and hypocrisy is everywhere, but it seems like only US that are able to use that and get away with it.
Votes: +2
Thanks for this article. We, Asians, we're not suppose to treat american like gods, simply cause they are not. report abuse
vote down
vote up
selective banning
written by Lim Peh , September 09, 2009
Jerome, the issue is SELECTIVE BANNING. If you want to ban cigarettes, then ban ALL cigarettes.
Votes: +11
USA is famous for this behaviour. It happily sells arms (in fact it is the BIGGEST arms supplier in the world, including selling to very cruel dictatorships), but it makes a lot of protest when another country sells arms especially to countries that is not so friendly to the USA. report abuse
vote down
vote up
WTF?, Lowly rated comment [Show]
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
The Risk of Travel in AsiaOur Correspondent A new report by International Risk says it's a jungle out there
Full Story |
| Other Articles |
Perception and Royal Reality in MalaysiaOur Correspondent The King is Dead. Long Live the King, so to speak
Full Story |
| Previous posts: |
Alice Poon
| Freedom of Expression Too Precious to Throw AwayThursday, 04 February 2010 | Alice Poon
In a free society, there will always be more than one single opinion. In a free society, it is accepted that everyone should have an equal right to express his/her opinion without fearing... Full Story |
| Previous posts: |
John Elliott: Riding the Elephant
| From vultures in Delhi, to coups in Pakistan, a journalist's un-edited take on current events |
Donate to Asia Sentinel
I urge everyone to write the congressmen and write to your govenor, allow sales in your state. POT is legal in California, its flavored?