Non-monetary incentives for tobacco prevention among youth in Indonesia

Tobacco use among in-school young adolescents in Indonesia: Exploring availability, affordability, and accessibility

The research on Indonesian adolescents' perception of tobacco control in schools is limited. This study aimed to explore the availability, affordability, and accessibility of tobacco among young adolescents in Yogyakarta Municipality, Indonesia, with a focus on advocating for school teenagers. Focus groups, comprising participants from diverse backgrounds and stakeholders, were conducted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to systematically collect varied data. The subsequent analysis employed a robust thematic approach, combining both inductive and deductive processes to ensure a nuanced exploration of emerging patterns and pre-existing frameworks. In addition to focus group data, the study incorporated insights from extensive field observations and research group discussions. The multifaceted approach enhanced the depth of analysis but also facilitated a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics. The findings of this study revealed that young adolescents found it extremely easy to purchase cigarettes from local markets. The smoking prevalence among young adolescents was relatively low, with only 10% of the respondents admitting to smoking. Although the Indonesian government has increased surveillance and regulations regarding smoking among young individuals, the actual implementation and effectiveness of these measures remain questionable. The existing anti-smoking approaches in Indonesia have been unsuccessful in curbing smoking among Indonesian school students. The study argues that it is crucial to recognize and value students' perceptions of smoking, as their knowledge of smoking is actively constructed. To address this issue, future anti-smoking education in schools should incorporate interactive sessions rather than solely relying on didactic approaches that highlight the harms of smoking. By engaging students in interactive discussions, they can actively participate in constructing their understanding of the consequences of smoking. Additionally, efforts should be made to enhance the implementation of tobacco control measures within schools and extend the reach of these measures to off-campus environments.

The influence of social environment and facility support on smoking in adolescent males in Indonesia

Background

The high number of smokers in Indonesia, including adolescents, causes high morbidity due to smoking. Reducing the incidence of smoking-related disease in Indonesia needs to be done by reducing the number of smokers. This can be done by preventing smoking as early as possible, including during adolescence. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of adolescent male smokers and determine the social environment and facility support that influences smoking behavior in adolescent males aged 15-18 years in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Design and method

A cross-sectional study was performed from 1st October 2021 to 31st January 2022 on adolescent males aged 15 to 18 from senior high schools in Surabaya. 369 respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire about social environment and facility support that influence smoking behavior. The questionnaire result of the questionnaire was computed using bivariate analysis to examine the relationship between social environment, facility support, and smoking behavior.

Result

Of the 369 eligible participants, 95 (25.7%) were smokers, while the remaining 274 were not. The factors affecting smoking among adolescents were families influence (p = 0.000; PR = 4.805; CI = 2.923-7.900), friends influence (p = 0.000; RP = 3.987; CI = 2.4906.383), and advertisements influence (p = 0.000; RP = 3.137; CI = 2.275-4.325). Facility support was not found to be too influential (p = 0.399; RP = 0.767; CI = 0.472-1.245). Familia influence was the strongest factor in smoking among adolescent males aged 15 to 18.

Conclusions

Integrated programs and policies are needed to prevent and rehabilitate adolescents from smoking behavior. Improving their understanding of the health impacts of smoking is also needed.