UNAIR NEWS – UNAIR Faculty of Public Health (FKM) supports the cigarette price increase that was held in a Zoom meeting on Friday, October 27, 2023. The action was taken to reduce cigarette consumption in the community.
“It shouldn’t be about raising cigarette prices only. There should be policies for the cigarette sales mechanism. Allowing the single cigarette sales will continue to pose risks,” said the Dean of FKM Prof Santi.
The FKM in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation, USA, conducted research regarding the health crisis caused by cigarettes. The results revealed that smoking behavior among middle and high school students has experienced a highly significant increase. The prevalence of smoking among children aged 10-14 years continues to rise by 16 times.
“Sadly, the increasing prevalence was caused by advertisements on TV, outdoor spaces, and social media,” she said.
University role
Being an academic institution, a university should be capable of creating a healthy campus life, both within the scope of learning and within their organizations. Therefore, each element can play its role according to their respective functions.
“The university must support the zero tolerance to smoking policy. UNAIR has implemented a healthy campus program according to the Rector’s decree number 13 in the Year 2023 regarding the smoke-free zone at the campus,” she said.
Under the Research Group Tobacco Control (RGTC), the FKM supports tobacco control programs according to the WHO’s MPOWER measure. For instance, monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from tobacco smoke, providing rehabilitation, and promoting awareness about the dangers of smoking.
“Tobacco use is our responsibility. Without an effective collaboration, our goals in tobacco control won’t be achieved,” said Prof Santi.
The forum ended with closing statements that campus policies should support tobacco control, restrictions on tobacco advertising on social media, and cigarette price increase policies.
“Support the smoke-free for child health,” she ended.
Author: Rosita
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
