Many Indonesians start smoking during their adolescence.

According to the Ministry of Health's data, in 2023, 22.46% of the Indonesian population aged 10 and above smoked daily.

Furthermore, 4.56% smoked occasionally, and 2.8% had smoked but quit.

Of the entire population who had ever smoked, the majority, or 56.5%, first tried smoking during adolescence, specifically between the ages of 15-19 years.

A significant number also started smoking between the ages of 10-14 and 20-24 years.

Meanwhile, those who first smoked outside these age ranges were fewer, as shown in the graph.

According to Eva Susanti, Director of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, the growth of smokers in Indonesia is inseparable from the tobacco industry's aggressive marketing of its products to children and adolescents.

"Marketing efforts are carried out using various methods, including the reach of multinational brands, influencers, trending topics, popularity, and the introduction of tobacco and nicotine brands on social media," said Eva in a press release on May 29, 2024.

"The tobacco industry is also very aggressive in sabotaging the government's efforts to reduce smoking prevalence through various tactics, such as spreading misleading information and manipulating public opinion," Eva stated.

Responding to this, UNICEF Indonesia Deputy Representative Mrunal Shetye urged the government and all stakeholders to protect young people from tobacco.

"The relentless efforts of the tobacco industry to lure young people to their products are a direct attack on this," said Mrunal Shetye in the Ministry of Health's press release on May 29, 2024.

"We must unite to protect the health and well-being of children by fighting this predator," she continued.