Jakarta – The collaboration between FCTC Indonesia, Lentera Anak, and Suara Tanpa Rokok held a Talk Show and launching of “Don’t Start Campaign” in the commemoration of #HTTS2020 (World No-Tobacco Day 2020) (01/06). The event was attended by participants who mostly came from groups of young people who were critical about cigarette manipulation. The talk show opened with remarks from Chairperson of the Yayasan Lentera Anak, Lisda Sundari, “Besides to enhance people’s awareness, this event is also a commemoration of World No-Tobacco Day”, she said.
Material Session
Journalist of TEMPOdotco, Mardiyah Chamim, mentioned that there is evidence that reveals how the large cigarette companies in the world are targeting children as their market. Meanwhile, National Professional Officer of WHO Indonesia, Dina Kania, stated that there are 48 countries in the world that comprehensively prohibit cigarette advertisements from being displayed. “There are various types of manipulation by the cigarette industry through cigarette advertisements in Indonesia that are broadcast in the media, and support programs that are mostly favored by young people,” she said. Furthermore, Researcher, Vice Chancellor IV and also a lecturer at LSPR Communication & Business Institute, Dr. Lestari Nurhajati, explained that 59% of young people know the purpose of advertising carried out by cigarette companies. She stated, “manipulative advertisements have made our young generation validate the use of cigarettes as a good and cool thing”.
Material Session
Cigarette advertisements that have characteristics of young people were chosen as a marketing strategy in the cigarette industry. This strategy was a success, for example the song charts sponsored by Marlboro and A Mild with their slogan “Gak Ada Lo Gak Rame. This type of ads moves the sense of brotherhood among young people. In addition, sports competitions which are also the symbol of high spirit of youth adrenaline are given a large cash sponsorship. It is not because the cigarette industry solely supports the sports competition, but they realise that this is the entrance to their market.
All webinar participants
For the closure of the Talk Show, the speakers advised young people to be careful with the manipulation of cigarette advertisements so that they are not trapped in the world of cigarettes. This can be realised by increasing awareness of the form of manipulation carried out by the tobacco industry to young people. From this awareness will arise a sense of rejection and resistance that can be implemented by young children by creating a network of influencers that is countering the smoking lifestyle.
