Table 2 Final Themes and sub-themes

I. Institutions

Actors that are responsible for establishing tobacco control policy

 I.1. Political structure and type of policy: multistage delay

Barriers to policy adoption and implementation due to government and parliament structures and relationships.

 I.2. Government bureaucracy and corruption

Loopholes within government that are prone to tobacco industry interference, including the complexity of government roles and responsibilities and degree of corruption.

 I.3. Role of Ministry of Health (MoH): low bargaining position

Perceived role and position of MoH in efforts to strengthen tobacco control

II. Agenda

Framing of tobacco and tobacco control in Indonesia

 II.1 Political economy framing of tobacco: We need the money- we need the employment

Perception of tobacco as an economic commodity and a source of income and employment rather than a threat to health and community prosperity.

 II.2. Sovereignty framing: tobacco control is an “outsider” project

Viewing the tobacco control movement as a foreign agenda and a threat to national sovereignty.

III. Networks

Pressure participants and power shifts.

 III.1 Tobacco industry network: Established and well-funded

Well established tobacco industry network that infiltrates the policy system with funding and frontline groups

 III.2. Tobacco Control Network: Resources and cohesion

Tobacco control is an ongoing movement with potential competition and limited resources.

IV. Socio-economic factors

The exclusive positioning of tobacco in the community contributes to its exception within the law and barriers to policy change

 IV.1. Social acceptability of tobacco: cigarettes are legal, and smoking is normal

Community views toward cigarettes, smoking, and tobacco companies are influenced by high smoking rates and tobacco industry tactics

 IV.2 Tobacco exception in the law

Privilege and exception given to tobacco within the law compared to alcohol, which potentially hampers the advancing of tobacco control

V. Ideas and transfer of ideas

Views toward the availability of evidence and best practices, and perceptions of the barriers to transfer of evidence to policy makers.