Most Smokers Did Not Reduce Their Cigarette Consumption During the Pandemic

Most smokers did not reduce their cigarette consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was revealed by the results of a survey by the National Commission for Tobacco Control (Komnas Pengendalian Tembakau) released on Tuesday (February 16).

Specifically, 48.5% of respondents with an income of less than Rp 5 million maintained their cigarette consumption during the pandemic. Meanwhile, 53.8% of respondents with an income of more than Rp 5 million maintained their cigarette consumption during the pandemic.

Only 38.1% of respondents with an income of less than Rp 5 million reduced their cigarette consumption during the pandemic. From the group with an income of more than Rp 5 million, the number of respondents who reduced their cigarette consumption was 33.8%.

Furthermore, 13.4% of respondents with an income of less than Rp 5 million actually increased their cigarette consumption during the pandemic. Meanwhile, 12.3% of respondents with an income of more than Rp 5 million increased their cigarette consumption during the pandemic.

The National Commission for Tobacco Control surveyed 612 respondents in 25 Indonesian provinces from June 1-19, 2020. Of this number, 47% of respondents identified themselves as active smokers, 46% as non-smokers, and 7% as former smokers.