Bogor City Government Intensifies Education in Schools as Cases of Teenage Smokers Increase

The Smoke Free Youth Generation 2026 program was held at SMP Negeri 15 Bogor City, Wednesday, June 17, 2026 (Bogor City Government document)

BOGOR - The Bogor City Government is strengthening efforts to prevent smoking behavior among students as the number of adolescent smokers in Indonesia increases. This step is carried out through the Smoke Free Youth Generation 2026 program held at SMP Negeri 15 Bogor City, Wednesday, June 17.

Deputy Mayor of Bogor Jenal Mutaqin said the trend of smoking among teenagers is still a serious concern. Based on the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023, the prevalence of smokers aged 10 to 21 years reached 12.4 percent, while the age of novice smokers continues to show a tendency to get younger.

The 2023 SKI data recorded that the initiation of smoking at the age of under 15 years increased from 11.5 percent in Riskesdas 2018 to 19.9 percent. Meanwhile, the initiation of smoking at the age of under 20 years increased from 59.7 percent to 76.4 percent.

"The case of smoking in adolescents is indeed increasing. There are many factors, including environmental influences and advertising promotions. So in the effort of the Bogor City Government, schools are strategic places for us to socialize," said Jenal Mutaqin.

According to him, the existence of the Regional Regulation on Tobacco-Free Areas (KTR) is an important foundation for the Bogor City Government in reducing the number of novice smokers, especially in the education environment.

Jenal emphasized that the implementation of a smoke-free area is not only the responsibility of students, but also all elements of the school.

"So that commitment is not only carried out by students, but also teachers and school principals. Some of our children are chosen to be KTR Ambassadors," he said.

During the activity, a number of students were confirmed as Tobacco-Free Area Ambassadors, which are expected to become agents of change and disseminate information about the dangers of smoking to their peers and the surrounding environment.

The Bogor City Government also awarded schools that were judged to have successfully implemented the Non-Smoking Area Regulation. The four schools that received the award were MAN 2 Bogor City, SMP Negeri 4 Bogor City, SMP Negeri 5 Bogor City, and SMP Negeri 15 Bogor City.

In addition, representatives of students and school principals from all over Bogor City read a declaration of commitment to support the implementation of a smoke-free area in the school environment.

On the same occasion, the Head of the Bogor City Health Office, Erna Nuraena, reminded that the current tobacco control challenge does not only come from conventional cigarettes, but also electronic cigarettes or vapes which are increasingly popular among teenagers.

According to Erna, many teenagers use vape because of curiosity, follow the trend of socializing, or consider electronic cigarettes safer than regular cigarettes.

"Although often marketed as a safer alternative, electronic cigarettes still contain nicotine, an addictive substance that can affect the development of the adolescent brain. In addition, several studies have also linked the use of vape to acute lung disease, heart disorders, and an increased risk of nicotine addiction at a young age," said Erna.

He explained that the results of the Survey on Smoking Behavior and Implementation of KTR in School Children in 30 schools in Bogor City in 2019 showed that as many as 32 percent of students had smoked conventional cigarettes and 30.8 percent had used electronic cigarettes.

The survey also noted that the average age of the first time to smoke was 12.8 years.

In addition, as many as 82.3 percent of respondents admitted to being exposed to cigarette advertisements, promotions, and sponsors at sales outlets such as stalls and shops.

"These data show that smoking behavior begins at a young age and the age of first-time smokers tends to be younger," he said.

Therefore, the Bogor City Government continues to strengthen the implementation of the Non-Smoking Area Regulation which has been in force since 2009 as an effort to protect the public from exposure to cigarette smoke, create a healthy environment, and prevent the emergence of new smokers among children and adolescents.

Erna added that her party also encouraged schools to work with health centers to identify students who smoke so that they can receive support and stop smoking services.

"Through this activity, it is hoped that the commitment of school leaders in implementing KTR in the school environment will increase and work together with the local health center to identify students who smoke, then given smoking cessation hypnosis and counseling," he concluded.