Expert Says Tobacco Consumption Alarming

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s tobacco consumption index remains a major public health and economic threat nationwide. Latest data show smoking prevalence rising, especially among male adults and teenage groups in the country.

Public Health Researcher at National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Tati Suryati, presented alarming figures based on Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Male smokers in Indonesia reached 63.2 million and female smokers numbered about 11.6 million.

“Both adolescent and adult smoking continued to increase, with male smokers rising more than female smokers,” Tati said on Thursday, 29 January 2026. This indicates a long-term upward trend in tobacco consumption despite ongoing control efforts.

As quoted by BRIN's website, Indonesian smokers consume an average of about 4,190 cigarettes per year, contributing to high consumption intensity. In ASEAN, over 15 million Indonesian male smokers consume more than fifteen cigarettes daily, raising regional health risks.

Higher tobacco intake leads to faster onset of noncommunicable diseases through dose-response effects in the body. Cardiovascular disease from tobacco reached 59.60 deaths per 100,000 population in 2021, reflecting serious health impacts.

The health and economic burdens are massive, with losses estimated between Rp184.36 trillion and Rp410.76 trillion in 2019. BRIN noted that national health insurance spends up to Rp15.6 trillion annually just for smoking-related disease treatment.

To fight this trend, government strategies include implementing smoke-free zones and strengthening primary healthcare for early disease detection. Despite 83 percent of districts having smoke-free rules, second-hand smoke exposure still affects over half of non-smoking youths.

Tati urged more effective tobacco control policies and strengthened health services to protect Indonesia’s productive future. Her research highlights the need for comprehensive actions targeting tobacco consumption at population and policy levels.