Indonesia's Ministry of Health Urges Early Action Against Youth Smoking

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesia's Ministry of Health is campaigning to prevent early smoking among the public. Commemorating World No Tobacco Day 2026 at the JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, this campaign aims to strengthen early smoking prevention efforts through broader health education for the public, especially children and adolescents.

The Indonesia's Vice Minister of Health, Benjamin Paulus Octavianus, affirmed that prevention must be the primary focus of tobacco control in Indonesia, especially among young people who are vulnerable to starting to smoke. He stated that this movement must be widely implemented in schools and even considered integrating it into the formal education curriculum to ensure children gain a sustainable understanding.

He believes that health education needs to be provided scientifically so that children and adolescents understand the impact of smoking on their health from an early age. "We need to provide more scientific education to the public about the effects of smoking on the body," he said.

Responding to the trend of e-cigarette and vape use among young people, the Vice Minister of Health also underscored that these products cannot be considered safe. The nicotine and aerosol content in e-cigarettes can still cause inflammation of the respiratory tract, disrupt the function of the lung alveoli, and increase the risk of long-term lung damage.

Using this momentum, Deputy Minister of Health Benny encouraged the younger generation to make health a key asset towards Indonesia Emas 2045. He believes that proper education will help children and adolescents understand the risks of smoking and enable them to make healthier decisions.

"If you want to achieve, who doesn't want to live a healthy life? I'm sure our young generation will be the golden generation in 2045. They must understand the importance of health because they are future leaders," he said.

The government is also currently finalizing regulations aimed at reducing the appeal of tobacco products, especially for children and adolescents. In addition to regulations, tobacco control needs to be strengthened through education, health promotion, and the involvement of various parties.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesian Pulmonologist Association, Arief Riadi Arifin, believes that prevention among young people is the most effective step to reduce the number of new smokers in Indonesia. Considering that most smokers start smoking in their teens, science-based health education needs to be strengthened extensively in schools and educational settings.