CIGARETTE USE AMONG INDONESIANS

Abstract

Background: As the one of the largest producer of tobacco leaf, Indonesia is also the one of the largest consuming cigarette country. Despite the high global burden diseases caused by tobacco, the pattern of cigarette use, especially among adults, is important to be understood. This paper assesses that pattern in order to better understand of cigarette use among Indonesians by using the GATS Indonesia report in 2011. Method: Data in this paper use the GATS in Indonesia, enclose: cigarette smoking based on demographic characteristics. GATS is a household-based survey, designed to obtain nationally representative data for the tobacco use behaviours of non-institutionalized individuals aged 15 years and above. Afterwards the data served descriptively. Result: The overall prevalence rate of current smokers is 34.79%. It is particularly high among men (67.04%), who have 25 times the prevalence rate of women (2.65%). Meanwhile the overall prevalence rates of current smokers by age (years) are consecutively: 18.08% (15-24); 48.78% (25-44); 26.82% (45-64); and 6.33% (65+). The overall prevalence rates of current smokers by place of residence are consecutively: 46.08% (urban) 53.92% (rural). Concerning to education level and occupation, the highest prevalence rates are consecutively 29.11% (primary school completed) and 49.61% (self-employed). The most current smokers were daily smokers. It’s about 84.05%. While the proportion of age at daily smoking initiation in men under 16 years old was about 35.5%. Conclusion: The first GATS in Indonesia showed high rates of smoking in men, also early initiation of smoking in Indonesia found in men. Based on the distribution of respondent above, reinforcing the efforts to promote cessation of tobacco use are needed to reduce the impact of tobacco use which can cause morbidity and mortality in Indonesia.