Process of drafting the smoke-free zone regulation in Medan year 2013

Background: The number of smokers in Indonesia is still high and in the absence of serious attention by government, then this problem would be a time bomb in the future. Results of previous studies have shown a variety of diseases associated with cigarette consumption. Medan city as the capital of North Sumatra province has been concerned with this problem and have proposed smoke-free zone regulation since 2010. However, the enactment of smoke-free zone regulation requires a long process and a strong commitment from the local government. Methods: The study design was a case study with a qualitative approach. Informants of this studyis the city of Medan legislators in charge of health, industry, labor, trade and agriculture. Data is collected using in-depth interview techniques to explore the views of relevant legislative regulation on smoke-free zone. Results: Stages of the process of establishing regulations smoke-free zone are: 1) the initiation stage than has been started since 2010 and was initiated by the Health Ministry, assisted by the city of Medan Indonesia Heritage Foundation, which is one of the NGOs involved in the protection of children and women. 2) discussion stage, which has been proposed (ranperda) until 2011 and has not been a priority for Parliament, because there is no political will to protect the public from the dangers of cigarette smoke. A discussion process regulation is the most crucial step to achieve a common understanding among the members of the legislature. 3) determination phase. After going through the long process through meetings (paripurna) in the decision making process and consent on smoke-free zone then the regulation is validated by approved by allfactions. 4) Promulgation phase, which is the issuance of Regulation No.3 of 2014 on smoke-free zone, which consists of 16 chapters 47 subchapters; and 5) Dissemination, socialisation of smoke free zone Regulation. Conclusion: The process of forming regulation of smokefree zone through several stages, which initiated in 2010 by the Ministry of Health that began to organize activities related to problems of cigarettes. In the early stage, smoke-free zone regulation was not a priority to be discussedin meetings in Parliament, due to arising pros and cons. Commitment from the local government and community support are the factors that made this regulation be processed so that in December 2013 the Parliament plenary meeting pass the regulation and in January 2014 Regulation No.3 about smoke-free zone is issued. Recommendation: There are many challenges ahead after the issuance of regulation smoke-free zone. The regulation should be implemented effectively, with the involvement of relevant stakeholders, also society (citizens-based smokefree zone enforcement). In addition, cross-sectoral cooperation in the application of smoke-free zone regulation needs to be improved. Ministry of Health as a driving force of smoke-free zone policies should support the necessary monitoring and evaluation