"The target of reducing smoking prevalence is children. How to prevent children from becoming smokers," Health Ministry's Director of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, remarked here on Monday.
Speaking at a discussion on Tobacco Harm Reduction and Lives Saved Report, Tarmizi affirmed that her side is focusing on reducing the number of young smokers, particularly those who start smoking as early as nine years old or during adolescence.
She pointed out that children are vulnerable to the risks of smoking, not only from their own use but also from secondhand smoke exposure in their surroundings.
She expressed concern over the rising number of young smokers, attributing this trend to easy access to cigarettes and the social pressure to fit in with their peers.
According to the Health Ministry's data, 71.3 percent of adolescents can readily buy cigarettes from nearby stalls or stores around their schools, while 60.6 percent of teenage smokers face no restrictions when purchasing cigarettes.
Meanwhile, the ministry does not endorse the use of alternative products, such as e-cigarettes, as safer options, despite research suggesting that these products might lower the risks of non-communicable diseases due to smoking.
Instead, the government advocates stringent tobacco control measures, such as in public places. To combat the rise in the number of teenage smokers, the government is enhancing counseling efforts and expanding no-smoking zones.
Tarmizi explained that her side also encourages families to prioritize their children's health by investing in nutritious food rather than tobacco products.
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Translator: Fitra A. Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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