inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Vice Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus stated that smoking prevention campaigns need to be promoted through education, such as by introducing education about the impacts of smoking in the elementary and junior high school curriculum, to prevent addiction and illness in the future.
"I think the 15-19 year olds are the most important (to receive the education), in my opinion. We must prevent them (from smoking). If they're already smoking, and have been addicted for decades, it's not easy to quit," said Paulus on Wednesday (6/3/2026).
He explained that according to various studies, smokers start their habit in junior high or high school. Benny mentioned that when people turn 14, that's when people start trying new things in life, including smoking.
According to him, by educating children from an early age about the dangers of smoking, it will be easier for them to refuse cigarettes when offered. He even said that these children might be the ones to tell their parents to stop smoking.
"We must create a curriculum so children know that hypertension is dangerous, that it can cause kidney damage, and that uncontrolled diabetes can damage our organs over time. Smoking, and the effects of cigarette smoke, cause our blood vessels to stiffen," explained Paulus.
He was grateful that therapies to stop smoking addiction, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), are now available. However, prevention is better than cure.
Paulus also highlighted the need for cross-sector collaboration to save Indonesia from the dangers of smoking. For example, in addition to education, spatial planning is needed to restrict smoking and prevent it from being done indiscriminately in open areas.
The government itself is intensifying various programs to ensure children have the best quality of health, starting with providing Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), building Type C hospitals in 66 districts, Free Health Checks (CKG), and eliminating tuberculosis.
"The Ministry of Health is currently finalizing regulations aimed at reducing the appeal of tobacco products, especially for children and adolescents," said the Deputy Minister of Health.
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