“Smoking is actually a risk factor for all non-communicable diseases,” said an official of the Health Ministry, Dhefi Ratnawati, at the launch of a public service announcement by the National Commission of Tobacco Control in Jakarta on Thursday.
She cited a number of diseases that are at risk of being caused by smoking, including cardiovascular disease or heart-related diseases, hypertension, and stroke.
"So, smoking is a risk factor, which means it's actually a priority," she added.
The government itself prioritizes various non-communicable diseases, including those caused by smoking, and campaigns to prevent cardiovascular disease.
The ministry itself welcomes the efforts of the National Commission on Tobacco Control to launch a public service announcement targeting controlling the use of tobacco products, including cigarettes.
Explanation on the risks and smoking activities is expected to contribute to a reduction in the number of smokers in Indonesia, especially young smokers or child smokers.
According to data from the Statistics Indonesia (BPS), in 2024, the prevalence of smoking among Indonesians aged 15 and over reached 28.99 percent; the percentage indicates that nearly one-third of adults in Indonesia smoke.
Similarly, data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) by the Health Ministry indicate that active smokers in Indonesia have reached 70 million people, with 7.4 percent of them aged 10-18 years old.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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