Indonesia tobacco bill would fire up output despite health fears

A man smokes a cigarette on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 15, 2017. REUTERS/Beawiharta

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's parliament has proposed a draft law that could lead to a sharp increase in tobacco output in a country that is already a top producer with one of the heaviest rates of smoking in the world.

Indonesia's tobacco industry employs millions of workers and contributes almost 10 percent to government revenues through taxes, but has faced a backlash from the health ministry and anti-smoking organizations.