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Indonesian teachers group declares anti-tobacco stance
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Indonesia's largest teachers group signed on Wednesday a declaration to underline the role of educators in supporting measures for tobacco control
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Students join an anti-tobacco protest to raise awareness about the dangers smoking to minors at the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Traffic Circle in this 2012 file photo. (JP/P.J. Leo)
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head of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Indonesia's largest teachers group signed on Wednesday a declaration to underline the role of educators in supporting measures for tobacco control.
Created by the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI), the declaration consists of six points, which include teachers’ commitment to "protect students from the dangers of smoking" and “oppose CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility] campaigns from the tobacco industry."
Teachers also called on the government to create a comprehensive tobacco control regulations to curb cigarette consumption.
"Teachers have to be role models for their pupils by not smoking [...] Exemplary acts by teachers are very strategic in the [anti-tobacco] campaign," PGRI chairwoman Unifah Rosyidi said at the declaration’s signing event in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday.
The event was organized by the National Commission on Tobacco Control (Komnas PT), a coalition of organizations that has been staunchly campaigning for tobacco related issues in Indonesia, one of the world's biggest tobacco consumers.
Komnas PT chairman Prijo Sidipratomo welcomed the declaration, saying that it was in line with one of PGRI's missions to support the country’s development.
"Some 25 percent of students' daily time is spent at school, which highlights the role of teachers in shaping their way of life," Prijo said. (rin)
