Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Health experts appealed Thursday for rock bands including The Smashing Pumpkins and Stereophonics to cancel performances at a tobacco-sponsored music festival in Indonesia this weekend.
They said the international bands, including acts from Australia, Britain, Germany, Japan and the United States, would be complicit in boosting addiction rates among children in the developing country if they play.
"This event will surely raise the number of smokers, especially young people," Indonesia's National Anti-Tobacco Coalition secretary-general Suhardi told AFP.
"As we know very well, music events are ... a very effective tool for tobacco companies to lure (young) customers.
"We also know that tobacco advertisements are one of the main factors behind the high growth of smoking rates here."
Indonesia is one of the world's most relaxed markets for tobacco companies, which are capitalising on its laissez-faire regulatory framework to increase sales and make up for declining consumption in traditional Western markets.
The government earns billions of dollars a year in tax revenues from tobacco companies, which employ millions of people across the country.
Cigarette consumption in the Southeast Asian archipelago soared 47 percent in the 1990s, according to the World Health Organisation.
Major Western brands cost about one dollar for a pack of 20 in Indonesia, yet cigarettes are often the second biggest item of household expenditure after food for the country's poorest families.
In all, 14 foreign bands are scheduled to play at the Java Rockin'Land festival from Friday to Sunday, along with a host of local acts.
Indonesian clove cigarette producer Gudang Garam is the major sponsor. Advertising for the event includes cigarette branding, with the catch-phrase "Can you handle it?"
Anti-tobacco activists and health experts from Australia, the United States and Britain have condemned the bands' actions, saying they are effectively encouraging children to smoke.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments