This is occurring, as children are (seen as) a gold mine (of opportunities). They will continue to smoke for the next 40 to 50 yearsJakarta (ANTARA) - The National Committee for Tobacco Control urged the government to impose stricter regulation on the display of cigarette advertisements by sponsors targeting children and youth.
"I think it is necessary to control cigarette consumption firmly and sustainably. Let us protect the golden generation and not create an anxious generation that smokes," Rita Damayanti, head of Education and Community Empowerment at the National Committee for Tobacco Control, stated here on Friday.
While steering clear of mentioning any specific brand or company, Damayanti stressed that several cigarette companies targeted children and teenagers through their advertisements. It was done through films played in cinemas as well as insertion of product images on sites for teenagers.
Moreover, cigarette advertisements are intentionally placed as close as possible to schools. As a result, three out of four teenagers saw the advertisement through online media, while 31.85 percent of them were encouraged to smoke.
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Events sponsored directly by tobacco companies could also influence the youth to directly or indirectly buy cigarettes.
“This is occurring, as children are (seen as) a gold mine (of opportunities). They will continue to smoke for the next 40 to 50 years," she remarked.
In order to prevent teenagers from becoming addicted to cigarettes, Damayanti detailed six steps to be pushed by the government to overcome this problem.
One of the steps was the total ban on sponsorships from cigarette companies regardless of how much they offer.
Another approach is to enlarge the warning images on cigarette packs to take up 90 percent of one side or surface, so that smokers or prospective smokers could see clearly the negative effects of smoking addiction.
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The government could also actively encourage the establishment of a Non-Smoking Area in every family's home in order to protect passive smokers, such as pregnant women, who are vulnerable to being exposed to cigarette smoke.
It was also necessary to increase the price of cigarettes. Tobacco excise tariffs are still relatively cheap, thereby making it easy for young people to buy cigarettes.
People should also be informed or educated of the risks and dangers of smoking as much as possible.
Moreover, the government should be active in providing assistance to active smokers to quit the habit through several existing programs in health facilities.
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Translator: Hreeloita D S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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