Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - South Kalimantan Health Agency invited a number of parties to follow an anti-smoking
campaign that is packed with river tour in Martapura River.
Communities, students, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of Banjarmasin City until students from University of Technology Sidney (UTS) Australia took part in the campaign on Friday afternoon.
They stood on top of the typical motorboat called kelotok, while dozens of jukung (a traditional boat made of wood) of fruit and vegetable merchants from the floating market accompanied the ranks.
The action was named Jukung Barenteng joined by Regional Secretary Abdul Haris and Head of Health Agency Muhammad Muslim.
UTS lecturer Jessica Li Dunn, who accompanied her students, admitted interested in South Kalimantan, especially Banjarmasin City which is committed to inviting people away from cigarettes. Moreover, the commitment is contained in the regional regulations on a non-smoking area.
"The city of Banjarmasin has a regulation on cigarettes as well as free plastic bags, that makes us very interested to come," said Jessica who is fluent in Indonesian.
Jessica said she also interviewed teenagers in Banjarmasin about smoking, and most refused or disagreed with the health-damaging habits.
Unfortunately, she said, public awareness has not been accompanied by the awareness of businessmen and government in Indonesia, including South Kalimantan.
Evidently, until now cigarette advertisements are very free to install and easy for people to see, then cigarette remains a much-loved item.
Unlike in Australia, Jessica said, cigarette packs are sold without a name and cigarette advertisements are not plastered freely in the streets or public places.
In addition, the local government imposes a high enough tax on cigarettes, so the selling price in the community is quite expensive.
The anti-cigarette campaign that was opened in the Tower of Menara Pandang on Jalan Piere Tendean was scheduled to take place from 19 to 21 January with a number of agendas.
South Kalimantan Regional Secretary Abdul Haris said campaigning and socialization in a relaxed and entertaining way are expected to make it easier for people to understand what the government wants.
"This activity is very good to continue to be developed, anti-smoking campaigns and others can be packed with a more relaxed but educational atmosphere," he said.
