The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged urgent and decisive action to protect children and adolescents from tobacco and nicotine addiction, highlighting rising concerns over cigarette and e-cigarette use among young people in Indonesia. The appeal comes ahead of World No Tobacco Day and emphasizes the need for stronger regulation, including bans on electronic cigarettes and stricter tobacco packaging laws.
Indonesia continues to face one of the highest tobacco consumption rates globally, with growing concern over the increasing use of vaping products among teenagers. According to recent school health survey data, a significant share of students aged 13 to 17 years are already using tobacco products, while e-cigarette use is also becoming increasingly common among adolescents. Health experts warn that flavored products, attractive packaging, and aggressive social media marketing are contributing to early addiction.
WHO has stressed that nicotine exposure during adolescence can interfere with brain development and increase the risk of long-term dependence. Evidence also suggests that e-cigarettes may lead young users toward traditional cigarette smoking, increasing overall health risks rather than reducing them.
In its latest statement, WHO called for a complete ban on electronic cigarettes, noting that several countries have already taken similar steps to prevent youth addiction. The organization also urged the swift implementation of stronger pictorial health warnings on tobacco packaging, arguing that clearer visual warnings are proven to reduce product appeal and improve public awareness of health risks.
Another major recommendation includes the creation of a “tobacco-free generation” policy, which would prohibit tobacco sales to individuals born after a certain year. WHO highlighted that this long-term approach has already been adopted in some countries as part of broader tobacco control strategies aimed at eliminating future addiction cycles.
Officials emphasized that immediate policy action is needed to protect young people and reduce long-term public health burdens. WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting countries like Indonesia in strengthening evidence-based tobacco control measures and building healthier future generations.
The call reflects a broader global push to address rising nicotine use among youth and prevent the normalization of smoking and vaping through targeted regulation, education, and enforcement.
