The North Jakarta City Administration declares pilot schools for smoke-free areas in eight junior high schools.

to provide education about the importance of maintaining health

The declaration was also accompanied with socialization and school commitment signing at Fatahillah Room, North Jakarta Mayor Office.

North Jakarta Mayor, Ali Maulana Hakim, said it is the first declaration of creating a healthy, clean, safe educational environment free from exposure to cigarette smoke.

"The pilot schools are SMPN 261, SMPN 23, SMPN 129, SMPN 270, SMPN 277, SMPN 162, SMPN 231, and SMPN 244," he said, Tuesday (9/24).

Ali added that smoking-free area in schools is not just a prohibition, but a significant first step protecting students from the dangers of smoking.

"Schools have a moral responsibility to provide education about the importance of maintaining health, including not smoking," he added.

Ali appreciated the support from North Jakarta Health Sub-agency and related Regional Working Units for this program.

Meanwhile, North Jakarta Health Sub-agency Head, Lysbeth Regia Pandjaitan, explained that smoking is the third leading risk factor for death in the world according to WHO.

This is because cigarettes contribute to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and respiratory disorders.

"North Jakarta is ranked 56th out of 514 regency/city in Indonesia that implement smoke-free area," she explained.