inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Health stated that controlling cigarette consumption is an important part of the national strategy to reduce stunting because cigarettes are one of the largest household expenses, which results in reduced allocations for nutritious food.

"Cigarettes outnumber rice consumption in many households. This is also why our government is re-regulating the use of cigarette and e-cigarette products," said Hanifah Rogayah, representative of the Lung, Brain, and Cardiovascular Working Team of the Directorate General of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) on Wednesday (September 24, 2025).

She then explained that the government views smoking as not only a health problem but also affects the quality of human resources.

"Besides causing disease, the government's current focus is reducing stunting. If household spending is greater on cigarettes than on rice, of course, the family's nutritional needs will be disrupted," said Representative Hanifah.

On the same occasion, Hanifah also highlighted the high prevalence of smoking among young people. Data from the Basic Health Research, he said, shows that the smoking prevalence among those aged 10–18 has reached 7.4 percent, while the number of smokers aged 15 and over has reached 63 million.

He emphasized that children and adolescents are not yet capable of making independent decisions. Therefore, the government needs to be present to protect them from exposure to tobacco products.

One step to protect the younger generation, in particular, from cigarettes is the government is currently drafting a Minister of Health regulation on standardizing cigarette packaging.

(ad/ndt/pr/rs)