Mayor Meeting: Cigarette Hazard Control Policy & Enforcement of Smoke-Free Areas (KTR) in NTB–NTT Provinces

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• Senin, 4 Mei 2026
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Mayor Meeting: Cigarette Hazard Control Policy & Enforcement of Smoke-Free Areas (KTR) in NTB–NTT Provinces

Udayana Central (Center for NCDs, Tobacco Control and Lung Health), Public Health Study Program (PSSKM), Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, in collaboration with the Association of Indonesian Health Services (ADINKES), held a "Mayor Meeting: Cigarette Hazard Control Policy & Enforcement of Smoke-Free Areas (KTR) in NTB–NTT Provinces" following the completion of cross-sectoral initiation and coordination meetings in each province. This momentum is crucial for shifting from the initiation and planning stage to concrete action, with the full support and commitment of Regional Heads in tobacco control efforts by strengthening the effective and sustainable implementation of Smoke-Free Areas (KTR). (April 29, 2026)

The event was held as a hybrid session on April 29, 2026, with a total of 250 participants, both offline and online via Zoom. The event was attended by Hj. Eva Dewiyani, S.P. (Assistant III to the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara), H. Amar Nurmansyah, S.T., M.Sc., (Regent of West Sumbawa), Dr. Ir. I Gusti Ngurah Eddy Mulya, SE., M.Sc. (Regional Secretary of Denpasar City), I Nyoman Suwirta, S.Pd., M.M. (Chairman of Commission IV of the Bali Provincial DPRD), Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, M.Epid. (Director of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia), Dr. M. Subuh, MPPM (Chairman of the Health Agency), and Dr. Tara Singh Bam (Director, Tobacco Control Asia Pacific, Vital Strategies). Also in attendance were several Heads of Health Services, including the Head of the NTT Provincial Health Office, the Head of the NTB Provincial Health Office, the Head of the Denpasar City Health Office, the Head of the Mataram City Health Office, the Head of the West Lombok Regency Health Office, and the Head of the Muara Enim Regency Health Office.

The Head of Udayana Central (Center for NCDs, Tobacco Control and Lung Health), Dr. Putu Ayu Swandewi Astuti, MPH, Ph.D., emphasized that this policy is not intended to prohibit individual rights, but rather to regulate space so that the wider community remains protected from exposure to cigarette smoke.

"Smoking behavior has a huge social and economic impact. Therefore, local governments have a moral responsibility to control it," explained the Udayana University academic.

Dr. Putu Ayu Swandewi Astuti, MPH, Ph.D. closed the discussion with an optimistic message, "This effort requires a long time and patience, but this step must not stop. For the health of future generations, we must keep moving forward."

As part of strengthening the role of the education sector, Dr. dr. I Ketut Suarjana, MPH, Coordinator of the Undergraduate Public Health Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, emphasized the importance of educational institutions in protecting young people from exposure to the dangers of cigarettes.

"Educational environments must be at the forefront of fostering healthy lifestyles. Campuses and schools are not only places for transferring knowledge, but also for character and habit formation. Therefore, implementing Smoke-Free Areas (KTR) in educational settings is a strategic step to protect the younger generation from exposure to secondhand smoke while preventing the emergence of new smokers. This effort is a long-term investment in creating healthy, productive, and competitive human resources," he emphasized.

Denpasar City Secretary, Dr. Ir. I Gusti Ngurah Eddy Mulya, SE., M.Si., added that the role of women from the Family Welfare Movement (TP PKK) is vital in educating the public about the dangers of secondhand smoke at the family level.

"Our weakness so far has been enforcement. The KTR Regional Regulation must not become merely a 'paper tiger', well-written but with minimal implementation," he emphasized.

Through this activity, it is hoped that stronger synergy will be built among stakeholders in encouraging the effective implementation of Smoke-Free Areas (KTR) in the provinces of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). This joint commitment is a strategic step in protecting the community from the dangers of cigarette smoke exposure and creating a healthier, more productive, and more sustainable environment for current and future generations.