Traditional Media Used in Anti-Smoking Campaign - Indonesia

The Ministry of Health makes use of traditional media such as the wayung kulit (shadow puppet theatre) as vehicles for health promotion messages. Among the suggested messages are warnings about the harmful effects of smoking for pregnant mothers and their unborn babies, and the dangers of smoking for all family members. Posters are also distributed by the ministry which highlight the effects of smoking on the unborn child and also the dangers of passive smoking for women and children. Several non-government organizations have addressed the issue of tobacco usage among women in their health promotion to discourage smoking. Heart Foundation Indonesia promotes tobacco-free areas in factories and educational institutions. The Foundation's No-Smoking Leaders Group (Lembaga Menanggulangi Masalah Merokok, known as Lembaga M3) has commissioned articles and held seminars on the health effects of smoking in women and emphasizes the ability of women to influence the behaviour of their children. Another organization formed in 1995 by 12 women to reduce the number of female smokers is Wanita Indonesia Tanpa Tembakau (WITT) or Indonesian Women Without Tobacco. WITT has produced 3 video clips for broadcast on Indonesian television in donated non-primetime slots. The group has also arranged a seminar on women and smoking in collaboration with Femina magazine and produces stickers which show the ill-effects of smoking on women and children.

Tobacco, Education, Health, Women, Children

The WITT video clips present anti-smoking messages from well-known Indonesian women, including a popular singer, a former Miss Indonesia and a television star. Although it is felt that WITT's membership and activities are largely concerned with the upper echelons of society, making a limited impact on the wider population, it definately makes a symbolic statement from the Indonesian elite that something should be done to curb an anticipated growth in the number of women smoking. WITT also endorces the idea that women should set an example to guide the family. Wide area studies show that although there is strong cultural disapproval of tobacco use among women and the numbers of women smoking are low, there has been an upward trend of women smoking. It is anticipated that some women may begin to smoke in order to defy tradition and move towards perceived modernization. Because such a large group of men smoke (often well over 50%) there is a need for further educational programmes to teach of the dangers of second hand smoke in the home and work place. It is felt that local level studies are needed to explore the reasons for different attitudes towards smoking on the part of different population groups. More action on tobacco and health needs to be undertaken for rural women who are unlikely to be affected by present efforts of groups such as WITT and Lembaga M3, which are based in Jakarta.