High school students opinion on efforts of controlling tobacco epidemic

Background: In Indonesia, prevalence of smoker has increased since the last ten years, although public educations have been done to increase awareness of community about smoking harmful effect. The objective of this study was to investigate which tobacco controlling efforts could be effectively and efficiently implemented.

Method: A survey was conducted in four districts in East Java. Ten high schools were selected randomly in each district and as many as 1631 students were recruited as sample. They participated voluntary in the study.

Results: Prevalence of ever smoked among senior high school students was 32 % in both sexes, 36.3% in male students and 27.1% in female students. About 50% students who ever smoked agreed that smoking at public places against the law. Among students who ever smoked as many as 45.3% students agreed to banning of cigarettes advertisements or sponsorship. Then, almost 80% (76.6%) students agreed to provide separately smoking and non-smoking area at public places. And, it’s about 70% students agreed to opinion about utilization cigarette tax for anti smoking campaign. Furthermore, nearly 72% students agreed to prohibition to sell or buy cigarettes for persons under 17 years old.

Conclusion:  The most important measure for controlling tobacco epidemic is to run immediately “a comprehensive tobacco control program” such as providing smoke free area, banning to cigarette advertisements and sponsorship, and utilization cigarette tax for anti smoking campaign.

Key words: opinion, controlling, tobacco, epidemic, student.