Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus said here on Wednesday that according to many studies, such education is crucial because adolescents, starting from 14 years old, are at a time when they love to experiment with new things, including cigarettes.
"The data is clear. I think 15-19 years old is the most crucial time. We prevent, (because) once they smoke, getting addicted for decades, it's hard to stop," Octavianus remarked here on Wednesday.
He noted that many studies have shown that smokers developed the habit since around middle school or high school years. By teaching children about the health risks of tobacco, they are more likely to reject cigarettes when offered, he opined.
The deputy minister expressed hope that these children will also encourage their parents to stop smoking.
"We need to create a curriculum to teach children about the dangers of hypertension, liver failure, and that uncontrolled diabetes damages our organs within some years. Smoking, its smoke causes blood vessels to become stiff," he explained.
Octavianus noted that therapies to help people get rid of their nicotine addiction, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), are now available. However, he emphasized prevention as more effective compared to treatment.
The deputy minister also called for collaborative efforts to protect Indonesians from the dangers of smoking. For example, improving infrastructure is necessary to limit smoking in public places, he pointed out.
Moreover, joint efforts are necessary to help tobacco farmers get other jobs as alternative means to ensure livelihoods, he added.
He stressed that children are valuable national assets; hence education to prevent nicotine addiction must be pursued at schools.
The government has initiated programs to ensure that children have the best health, such as Free Nutritious Meal (MBG), Free Health Checkup (CKG), building type C hospitals across 66 districts, and tuberculosis elimination.
"The Health Ministry is currently finishing up a regulation aimed at reducing the appeal of tobacco products, particularly their appeal towards children and teens," he added.
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Reporter: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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