The Complex World of Kretek Capitalism: A Deep Dive with Dr. Marina Welker
Episode Overview
Indonesia is the second-largest cigarette market globally. Kretek cigarettes hold 95% of the Indonesian market. Labour practices in kretek production have significant health impacts. Marketing tactics often target youth, despite company claims. Corporate social responsibility efforts can sometimes mask exploitative practices.
The experience of smoking a kretek is different in a range of ways.
Ever wondered how a cigarette market can dominate a nation? In this episode, Dr. Marina Welker dives into the world of clove cigarettes in Indonesia, known locally as kretek. With Indonesia being the second-largest cigarette market globally, kretek cigarettes hold a staggering 95% market share. Dr. Welker's book, 'Kretek Capitalism: Making, Marketing, and Consuming Clove Cigarettes in Indonesia,' examines the intricate web of production, marketing, and consumption that sustains this industry.
From the labourers in the fields to the factory workers and marketers, each chapter of her book uncovers the lives affected by this lucrative yet harmful trade. You'll hear about the unique cultural significance of kretek cigarettes, their impact on Indonesian society, and the global forces at play. Dr. Welker shares her journey into researching this topic, revealing how her upbringing and academic background led her to Indonesia.
She also discusses the health impacts on workers who roll these cigarettes by hand and the manipulative marketing tactics targeting youth. This episode is a deep dive into how capitalism intertwines with culture, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in addiction, labour practices, and global economics. Tune in to understand the complex dynamics of kretek capitalism and its far-reaching implications.