Temanggung, C Java, Sept. 6 -- Tobacco is among eight plantation commodities included in a strategic commodities bill being drafted by Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR), a lawmaker said Saturday.

"Tobacco is the eighth commodity proposed in the draft law," said Sofyan Dedy Ardyanto, a member of the bill's working committee, during a community workshop.

Ardyanto, who represents Temanggung, a key tobacco-producing area, said the bill seeks to address declining demand and protect the livelihoods of tobacco farmers.

Discussions on the bill have involved the Indonesian Tobacco Farmers Association (APTI) and local governments from tobacco-producing regions, he added.

"Farmers are worried because tobacco absorption keeps falling eac...