PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Provincial Health Service (Dinkes) continues to encourage all buildings, both government-owned buildings, state-owned enterprises and private buildings, to optimally implement Smoke-Free Areas (KTR).

Head of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the West Java Health Office, Dr. Rochady Hendra Setya Wibawa said that currently the existence of KTR in West Java is very much needed, to provide a place for those who usually smoke.

"The existence of KTR is important to help reduce the number of smokers in West Java," said Rochady, during the Socialization and Implementation of KTR in West Java, at the West Java Health Office, Tuesday (2/18/2025).

Rochady admitted that the existence of KTR is currently still ineffective, as can be seen from the large number of people who still smoke in random places.

"The effectiveness of KTR is still low, so we are again conducting socialization. In the future, a special task force is needed to strengthen this regulation," said Rochady.

"KTR must be provided outside the building which is open and directly connected to the outside air. KTR does not mean telling people to stop smoking," he added.

Rochady emphasized that the existence of KTR aims to prevent smokers, both with regular cigarettes and vapes, from smoking in closed rooms. Because in closed rooms there are many people, including non-smokers, children, and the general public.

"So this is not about banning smoking, but providing a special place for smoking. If it is for smoking cessation efforts, the place is in the health center," he said.

As is known, currently the number of smokers in West Java is still the highest in Indonesia. Based on data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey, it shows that West Java has the highest number of child smokers.

Children aged 15-19 who smoke reach around 20%. In fact, the survey noted that as many as 75% of children aged 15-9 years in West Java have tried smoking.

Chairman of the No Tobacco Community (NOTC), Bambang Priyono, asked the government and other stakeholders to seriously monitor the implementation of KTR and the ban on cigarette advertising on billboards.

"The number of smokers in West Java is very worrying, so tobacco control in West Java is important to protect children from the dangers of cigarette consumption," he said. (no)