Firms urged to help smoke-free campaign

JAKARTA (JP): A government-endorsed smoke-free advocacy group is launching a nationwide campaign to persuade companies to declare a smoke-free environment during World No Tobacco Day which falls on Thursday.

Chairman of the Coalition for a Healthy Indonesia, Doddy Partomihardjo, said state and private institutions are being invited to commit to the campaign.

"This campaign is aimed at educating smokers on the dangers of smoking to non-smokers ... the public, the government and legislators have to be more active with this nation-wide issue," he said.

On Thursday the coalition will also go live on private television station TPI to get cumulative pledges for one million hours of smoke-free environment.

Pledges can already be made now through a telephone hotline (021-25500060), facsimile (021-21599599) or through their website (http://www.visitel.co.id/wntd).

The program is part of a nationwide campaign under the coordination of World Health Organization (WHO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the Indonesian Heart Foundation (YJI), the Institution to Overcome Smoking Problems (LM3) and the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (YKI).

A special award will be presented for companies or management of public facilities which has initiated smoking-free areas.

The Coalition for a Healthy Indonesia is a non-profit organization that supports the government's campaign for Healthy Indonesia 2010 by disseminating information and providing advocacy.

The coalition, a partner of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, comprises 29 organizations and institutions that include, among others, the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) and the State Ministry for the Empowerment of Women.

The coalition also provides counseling for those who encounter difficulty in stopping smoking.

Protection

WHO acting representative for Indonesia, Mark Brooks, urged the government to protect non-smokers by raising awareness in the community of the serious health impact of passive smoking.

The theme of this year's campaign is "Second-hand smoke: Let's clear the air."

"A study disclosed that non-smokers who breathe second-hand smoke suffer many of the same diseases as regular smokers. Whether it is at home, work, school, in restaurants, theaters or bars, second-hand smoke is a proven health threat to the young and old," Brooks told journalists.

Indonesia is believed to be a hazardous area for second-hand smoke due to the increase of smokers, whose number is believed to have reached 141.44 million.

Aulia Sani, the director of Harapan Kita Hospital, said the government should raise awareness among children in the classroom by teaching about the dangers of smoking.

"We will also urge the government to start a campaign of providing a special space to isolate smokers from the non-smokers in public spaces, such as terminals, airports, restaurants and others," Aulia said.

Chairman of Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM), Sampurno, said the government had issued several presidential regulations for smoke-free zones in public places and limited the advertisement of tobacco products, but the implementation was still not yet satisfactory.

Presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar, who has been treated at Harapan Kita for the last three days for a heart disease, was wheeled in briefly to attend the media conference, as he is a non-smoking activist.

Wimar is expected to be discharged on Saturday morning. (bby)