JAKARTA - Every year, the world commemorates World No Tobacco Day as an opportunity to increase public awareness about the dangers of tobacco consumption and the various impacts it causes.
This commemoration is not only an educational event regarding the health risks of smoking, but also reminds of the importance of creating a healthier environment, especially for children and vulnerable groups.
In Indonesia itself, the warning is becoming increasingly relevant given the high number of smokers and the increasing challenges of controlling the consumption of tobacco products in various layers of society.
Tobacco dependence is still a serious public health problem in Indonesia. The impact is not only felt by active smokers, but also by passive smokers who are exposed to cigarette smoke and those who are exposed to toxic residues that stick to clothes, skin, and household furniture.
This situation is increasingly worrying because the number of active smokers in Indonesia has reached around 70 million people, with around 7.4 percent of them being children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years.
The risk is very felt for children who live with family members who smoke. World Health Organization (WHO) and Indonesian Ministry of Health data show that pneumonia is still one of the leading causes of death among toddlers in the world with around 740,000 deaths every year. Exposure to cigarette smoke is known to increase children's susceptibility to respiratory diseases, including pneumonia.
On the other hand, the use of electronic cigarettes or vape among teenagers also shows a significant increase, from 0.3 percent to 3 percent in recent years. This is the background behind the birth of the national campaign #SehatTanpaRokok as part of the implementation of the Stop Smoking Program for Healthy Indonesia mandated in Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health.
The magnitude of the tobacco control challenge shows that the success of smoking cessation programs requires broader support, including access to education and services that are close to people's daily lives.
Responding to this need, Guardian Indonesia also participated in strengthening the #SehatTanpaRokok campaign through the provision of easily accessible educational facilities and support for access to safe health solutions.
With a network of more than 350 outlets spread across 90 cities, Guardian has reached tens of thousands of people through various health programs, including free health screening services and Guardiancares social activities that support children's sanitation.
In order to commemorate World No Tobacco Day, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia has collaborated with Kenvue, Guardian Indonesia, the Indonesian Pulmonary Doctors Association (PDPI), and the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
The collaboration was realized through the national campaign #SehatTanpaRokok and the implementation of a Workshop on Smoking Cessation (UBM) for health workers. This program aims to strengthen efforts to reduce the prevalence of smokers through an educational approach and more integrated health services.
As part of its support, Guardian Indonesia is optimizing the role of pharmacists as the front line in providing education on quitting smoking and making it easier for people to obtain information related to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
The presence of pharmacists close to the community is expected to be one of the entry points for individuals who want to start quitting smoking.
Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, dr. Benjamin Paulus Octavianus, emphasized that the reduction of the national smoking rate requires collaboration from various parties. According to him, the health impact and economic losses due to tobacco consumption are too large for the government to handle alone.
Therefore, synergy between the government, health workers, professional organizations, and the private sector is considered important to expand community education, increase health service capacity, and provide access to safe and scientifically based therapies.
In line with this, the Director of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, M.Epid., said that the government continues to strengthen tobacco control policies and smoking cessation services which are now available at various primary health facilities.
However, according to him, these efforts need to be supported by cross-sectoral collaboration so that the public not only understands the risks of smoking, but also receives the right support and therapy to stop this habit.
In terms of product supervision, BPOM emphasizes the importance of using therapies that have met safety standards and obtained official distribution permits. Deputy for Drug, Narcotics, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Addictive Substances BPOM, dr. William Adi Teja, stated that consumer protection must be the top priority in dealing with nicotine dependence. Therefore, the public is urged to use safe therapy products that have a clear scientific basis.
Meanwhile, PDPI Central Board Advisor, Prof. Dr. dr. Agus Dwi Susanto, Sp.P(K)., MHPM., FISR., FAPSR, explained that conventional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes contribute greatly to various serious diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
He assessed that one of the biggest obstacles for smokers who want to quit is the emergence of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, the use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy combined with behavioral counseling is considered capable of increasing the chances of success in quitting smoking.
Health practitioners and former smokers, dr. Tirta Mandira Hudhi, also shared his experience in dealing with nicotine addiction. He revealed that the process of quitting smoking requires a strong commitment, but in many cases medical support is still needed to overcome the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome.
According to him, the combination of personal motivation and a scientific-based approach can help increase a person's success in quitting smoking.
As a company that provides Nicorette® products, Kenvue expresses its commitment to supporting government programs in reducing the prevalence of smokers in Indonesia.
Marketing Director of Kenvue Indonesia, Fika Yolanda, explained that the company not only provides therapeutic products, but is also active in training health workers, educating the public, and holding public service campaigns with the Ministry of Health and PDPI. In addition, access to therapeutic products has also been expanded through cooperation with the Guardian pharmacy network.
The implementation of this campaign is strengthened through the implementation of a Workshop on Quitting Smoking which was attended by 150 health workers. Participants consisted of UBM clinic counselors from various health centers as well as Guardian pharmacists and pharmacy staff.
The training materials include national UBM policies, the medical effects of cigarettes, pharmacotherapeutic and non-pharmacotherapeutic approaches, to motivational communication techniques to accompany patients with nicotine dependence.
Guardian Indonesia's Commercial Director, Karlina Elisabet Wirian, emphasized that Guardian is committed to supporting a healthy lifestyle through the provision of credible and easily accessible health information to the public.
According to him, the presence of hundreds of pharmacists and pharmaceutical personnel in various regions is expected to help the public obtain the right education and the support needed in undergoing the process of quitting smoking.
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