Made Arya Kencana – Several academics, doctors and nongovernmental organization activists gathered in Bali on Sunday to petition the government to halt the World Tobacco Asia Forum, slated to be held in Nusa Dua next year.

The forum showcases tobacco products and provides an opportunity for industry professionals in the Asia Pacific region to network.

"We disapprove of the forum and we do not want it to be held in Bali or anywhere in Indonesia," said Putu Ayu Swandewi Astuti, a lecturer for the school of public health at Udayana University in Bali.

"We have managed to gather nearly 186 signatures, with supporters coming from several countries including India, the Netherlands and Australia," she said.

Putu noted that Indonesia was the only country among 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Group of 20 that had not ratified the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

She said the forum also went against efforts by the Indonesian government to control air quality due to cigarette smoke, and Bali's efforts to develop a smoke-free zone program.

"Why would we want to host those cigarette producers? The government shouldn't forget its commitment to minimize the danger of smoking for the sake of profit," Putu said.

Tara Singh Bam, technical advisor at the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, said Indonesia ranked third among countries with the highest number of smokers in the world, after China and India. Data from 2010 show that 34.7 percent of the population were cigarette smokers, with 76.6 percent admitting to smoking inside their homes with other members of the family.

"Smoking is one of the strongest factors behind non-communicable diseases. It is also one of the biggest causes of death. As such, our commitment to tobacco control is very important," Bam said.

Titik Suhariyati, secretary of the Bali Child Protection Agency (LPA), noted that Bali's smoke-free zone program has been poorly implemented despite being ratified more a year ago.

She said impromptu inspections conducted by LPA have not complied with the policy. These include offices and places of worship. The World Tobacco Forum hosts events annually in cities worldwide.