The Smoking Problem of Indonesia (Kills 300,000 a Year)

Summary

In Indonesia, smoking is a deeply ingrained cultural practice, with 76% of men addicted to cigarettes and over 30% of children having smoked before age 10. The low cost of cigarettes, heavy advertising, lack of smoking bans in public spaces, and the perception of smoking as 'cool' contribute to the country's high smoking rate. Despite a global decline in tobacco use, Indonesia’s tobacco industry continues to thrive, leading to 300,000 deaths annually. The video advocates for stricter government regulation to reduce tobacco-related harm and protect future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Smoking is extremely prevalent in Indonesia, with 76% of Indonesian males addicted to cigarettes as of 2018.
• 😀 The tobacco industry in Indonesia remains strong despite the global decline in cigarette smoking.
• 😀 In Indonesia, 30% of children have smoked a cigarette before turning 10 years old.
• 😀 A two-year-old boy in Sumatra made headlines for smoking 40 cigarettes a day, showcasing the severity of the smoking culture in Indonesia.
• 😀 Tobacco use causes 300,000 deaths annually in Indonesia due to its widespread popularity.
• 😀 Cigarettes are very cheap in Indonesia, with packs selling for as low as one US dollar.
• 😀 Tobacco companies in Indonesia spent $474 million on TV ads in 2017, targeting both adults and children.
• 😀 Smoking is not banned in private offices, restaurants, or bars, leading to exposure to secondhand smoke even for non-smokers.
• 😀 Smoking is seen as 'cool' in Indonesia, which leads to peer pressure and a culture where smoking is encouraged.
• 😀 The government of Indonesia is criticized for not doing enough to control cigarette advertising, which could save hundreds of thousands of lives.
• 😀 The video creator expresses a desire for more regulations on tobacco in Indonesia to help reduce smoking-related deaths.

Q & A

Why do many people in Indonesia smoke, according to the transcript?

Many people in Indonesia smoke because it is considered part of the culture, and peer pressure plays a role. The script mentions that some individuals, like the speaker, started smoking by following others, like a brother who introduced them to cigarettes.

What is the smoking rate among Indonesian men, as mentioned in the script?

As of 2018, 76% of Indonesian men are addicted to cigarettes.

What alarming statistic about children and smoking is shared in the transcript?

The transcript reports that over 30% of Indonesian children have smoked a cigarette before turning 10 years old.

What is the tragic case of a two-year-old boy mentioned in the script?

A two-year-old boy from Sumatra Island was reported to smoke 40 cigarettes a day, which made headlines.

How many deaths in Indonesia are attributed to smoking annually?

Smoking claims the lives of 300,000 Indonesians every year.

What are the four reasons highlighted for the high smoking rate in Indonesia?

The four reasons are: 1) Cigarettes are cheap, with packs available for as low as one US dollar. 2) Tobacco companies spend heavily on advertising, targeting both adults and children. 3) There is no ban on smoking in many public spaces. 4) Smoking is perceived as cool and is part of peer pressure.

What role does advertising play in cigarette consumption in Indonesia?

Advertising plays a significant role, with tobacco companies spending $474 million on TV ads in 2017, targeting both adults and children.

What is the government’s stance on smoking in public spaces in Indonesia?

There is no legal ban on smoking in private offices, restaurants, or bars, leading to widespread exposure to secondhand smoke.

How is smoking perceived in Indonesia, according to the transcript?

Smoking is seen as cool and popular in Indonesia, which contributes to peer pressure and encourages others, particularly the youth, to smoke.

What does the speaker suggest as a solution to reduce smoking in Indonesia?

The speaker suggests that the Indonesian government should take stronger action to ban tobacco ads, which would save hundreds of thousands of lives.