The crucial thing is cigarettes. Cigarettes are often referred to as the gateway to drugs. Indonesia is the only country in the Asia Pacific that has not ratified the FCTC. Why can’t it when compiling the FCTC, Indonesia is the most active in its pre
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of the Indonesian Children Protection Agency (LPAI) Seto Mulyadi hopes the government will immediately ratify the convention on tobacco control through the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to protect children from taking up smoking. "The crucial thing is cigarettes. Cigarettes are often referred to as the gateway to drugs. Indonesia is the only country in the Asia Pacific that has not ratified the FCTC. Why can’t it when compiling the FCTC, Indonesia is the most active in its preparation?" Mulyadi asked here Friday.

The proliferation of cigarette advertisements in various media such as television, outdoor media, and other advertisements greatly influenced the children to become smokers, the child psychologist said. Young smokers, which includes toddlers, are popping up.

"In the advertisement, a person who smokes is impressive and superb. This advertisement encourages teenagers to become smokers," he said.

"The government should ratify the FCTC soon because smoking has become increasingly widespread. I urge Indonesia to ratify the FCTC immediately. We urge the president to explain why until now it has not ratified," he stated.

In addition, socialization about the characteristics of violence and sexual abuse must also be conducted for both children and parents to fortify themselves, Mulyadi said.

"The Community empowerment can be conducted through neighborhood units (RT) and community units (RW). Staff of RT and RW gathers children and adolescents. Then, RT and RW provides guidance about information on sexual crimes," Mulyadi added.

Translator: Martha / Azis Kurmala
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
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