Awareness About the Dangers of Smoking up in Indonesia

Jakarta (Antara) - Awareness of the Indonesian people of the danger of cigarette smoking has increased, compared to six years ago, according to the director of tobacco control at the Union United for a tobacco-free future, Ehsan Latif. "We have not spent even a dime to improve the capacity of the people in Indonesia, with the absence of a government regulation to limit tobacco use. Six years ago no one talked about limiting tobacco use, but now there is talk," he said at a workshop to empower higher education institutes to control tobacco use here on Thursday. He said banners and billboards depicting the dangers of cigarette smoking as well as calls about the dangers of smoking in public places have sprung up. "Many people are now talking about the dangers of cigarette smoking. That is what we have seen, and so I cannot say that there is no improvement here," he said. In view of that, Ehsan said the Tobacco Control unit at the Union United for a tobacco-free future will not stop assisting Indonesia in the fight against cigarette smoking. He said assistance will not only be limited to finances but will also include technical assistance, which is another key requirement in reducing tobacco consumption in the country. "The challenge from the tobacco industry is still huge and therefore support from the health community is still needed," he said. Ehsan said Indonesia is not the only country that has reported an increase in tobacco consumption, which is mostly affecting the younger generation. Based on a research in 2009, a minimum of 15,000 people have died in the world of tobacco-related illnesses. Indonesia, meanwhile, is the fourth-largest consumer of tobacco, after China, Russia and the United States, he said. (*) Reporting by Verna P Setyorini