TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Experts have generally agreed that the most effective way to prevent people from picking up smoking as a habit is by educating them as children, especially during the teenage period where they are more likely to act out of curiosity and tend to be easily influenced.

One of the movements that constantly campaign against the smoking habit is the Indonesian Women Without Tobacco (WITT). For 23 years, WITT has introduced a number of programs aimed at preventing kids from being exposed to smoking.

A product of their campaign has now been set as a government regulation in the form of "areas free from cigarette smokes". WITT is currently focusing on further educating students since, according to a study, it was found they picked up the health-risking habit from the ages of 9 to 11.

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“WITT focuses its efforts on social health, especially among the young generation, which is why we hold numerous public counseling. We hold it in schools up to junior high since this particular demography can be easily influenced,” said WITT Chairwoman Titi Hatta in the organization’s 23rd anniversary on Thursday.

Titi said mothers also required education on the dangers of smoking since statistically a large number of mothers, mainly the young ones, were considered active smokers. “A mother will take home that smoking habit and that will be witnessed by their children, this is a bad habit,” said Titi.

ANTARA