ndonesian children are now in danger because of their smoking from an early age. Age prevalence of smoking shift to the age of children under five. Problems of smoking in children is a national disaster that must be addressed.
Seto Mulyadi, Chairman of the Commission on Child Protection, blamed the increase in aggressive cigarette advertising and the number of parents who smoke. "The laws that protect children from the dangers of smoking should be enforced in Indonesia," he said.
According to the Central Statistics Agency data, 25 percent of children 3-15 years of age never smoked and 3.2 percent were active smokers. Number of children aged 5-9 years old who smoke increased from 0.4 percent in 2001 to 2.8 percent in 2004.
Some time ago the media also presents concrete examples of the children of smokers. In Surabaya, there is a Password (4) that has been smoking since age 18 months. While in Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatra, there Ardi Rizal (2), which often rage (tantrums) if the desire to smoke is not obeyed.
Ardi also introduced to cigarettes by his parents since he was 18 months. "I'm not worried about his health, so far it looks healthy Ardi. If he was not given a cigarette, he would cry and rage because he was addicted," said Mohammad Rizal, Ardi's father.
Until now, the draft regulations on tobacco has not been validated. In fact, the regulation is mandated Health Act No. 36 of 2009 (Section 116) in favor of the children as an easy target for the tobacco industry.
The recommended policy is a pictorial health warnings, the region without the cigarette smoke, as well as a total ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of cigarettes, and increasing the cigarette tax and price.
This policy can be assessed to increase government revenues, protect poor families, and reduce the affordability of the children to buy cigarettes.
Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto, a member of the National Commission on Tobacco Control, said that factors other than advertising to reduce the number of smokers, it should be noted also the influence of social conditions, namely the influence of family and social circle.
Children, especially toddlers, who smoked it is impossible to think of as normal. This is a serious reality concerning the future and health of children
