Indonesia Conference Directory

Indonesia is recognized as a country with high potential in maritime resources. However, Indonesia is also known as the second largest contributor of plastic waste into the ocean. It is estimated that Indonesia contributes around 200.000 tons of plastic disposals. The highest pollutant of the plastic product was found to be cigarette butts. The trillions of cigarette butts generate chemical contamination on the water. The various chemicals used as additives in cigarettes and the additional ones created when a cigarette is combusted. Chemicals that leach from the cigarette butts can be extremely toxic to the organisms in the ocean. Cigarette is not only dangerous for human health, but it is also environmentally hazardous. The marine pollution caused by the cigarette butts was never realized by humans, even though the huge number of cigarette butts were found in the sea. A grave concern should be put on the impacts of cigarette toward the ocean. The objective of this paper is to elaborate the Indonesian regulation dealing with the issue of cigarette butt pollution in the ocean. This paper is the result of normative research with the statute, analytical and case approaches on the protection of the marine ecosystem from the cigarette filter disposal. This research attempts to analyze the existing regulations in Indonesia on the protection of the marine ecosystem from toxic and hazardous waste, especially from cigarette butt waste disposal. The results of this study show that to date there is no specific regulation regulates about tobacco waste product disposals. Accordingly, the government is suggested to enact a specific and effective regulation about tobacco waste product, so that the law enforcement of marine pollution caused by cigarette butts can be prevented.