Child smokers decreased to 3.81% in 2020.

The percentage of Indonesian children aged 10-18 who smoke has steadily decreased between 2018 and 2020. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), the percentage of children aged 10-18 who smoked reached 9.65% in 2018.

This figure then decreased to 3.87% the following year. In 2020, the percentage of children aged 10-18 who smoked further dropped to 3.81%.

In detail, 0.13% of children aged 10-12 smoked. Among 13-15 year olds, 1.64% smoked. Meanwhile, 10.07% of children aged 16-18 smoked.

By gender, 7.68% of children aged 10-18 who smoked were male. This percentage is higher than that of female children aged 10-18 who smoked.

According to the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), several factors encourage children to smoke, despite the dangers. One is a strong sense of curiosity about cigarettes.

Other factors include the easy accessibility of cigarettes due to their low price and widespread availability. The desire to appear cool and adult also contributes to children smoking. Additionally, cigarettes are perceived as a way to relieve stress and boredom.

The government continues to strive to strengthen tobacco control policies, including implementing comprehensive bans on cigarette advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. This is expected to create a smoke-free younger generation, resulting in a higher quality Indonesian human resource.