Felt like years of vacuum, here I am sharing about quite intense topic : Smoking.
I may not be an activist who deserves to talk a lot about this. But it is going to be corrosive unluckily in our own country, Indonesia.
It began with sensational issue about the smoking baby, or I'd rather say "babies". Named Aldi Rizal, this 2-years-old kid proudly showed the world his skill in smoking that was been spread publicly in YouTube. And in extent it was a great power that encouraged the passive smoker to speak up. If we try to analyze thoroughly about current trend in our country, especially about smoking, it should be a long tight debate. Some said it contributes economic growth, the rests consider "smoking kills, tobacco industry is a crime and so on." I can't express how exactly my point of view in this case, my dad is an active smoker. It's hard though to make him quits. But honestly, I'm like-minded those against smoking. Why should we go for it?
Firstly ask yourself,
Have you ever counted how many cigarettes advertisement along the street you find nearby?
How frequent cigarette advertisement played on TV?
How many teen events been held sponsored by tobacco industry?
How easy nowadays to buy cigarette?
How many smoking kids you meet?
How many smoking-related-death happen?
How beautiful young woman smoke?
It is extremely troubling us. If you truly find out, follow me on how my mind revolves toward this.
Basically smoking habit raised in western country like USA & Europe. Started with Marlboro Man in cowboy figure roled the new definition of charm in its era. Celebrities and famous people were also smoking that led everyone copied them. Along with the massive growth in many aspects, western countries started to leave that bad habit. They started to chase after the health concern. Eventually it changed western people's mind, supported with firm action by government. It was found rare for smoker to buy cigarette, besides it was also high-priced. That was clearly the end of tobacco industry in developed countries.
Tobacco executives then looked for a better market, which was nowhere but poor countries. They said it was Asia but focused to Indonesia in time. We find lately it's becoming a common act for Indonesian people to smoke. It's strengthened by the absent of official statement that says nicotine is addictive. Naively, government also situated in dilemmatic atmosphere that they can't resist on how tobacco industry contributes job vacancy for the poor. In fact, many poor people with less concern on health are becoming the victims. They start to budget their minimum income for cigarettes. It's not helpful to be true.
That is why if you ask yourself about where's precisely Marlboro country? Indonesia is the answer, personally speaking. It provides the real future for tobacco industry. It keeps covering the damage by taking the job vacancy stuffs on the surface. Tangibly, World Tobacco Asia Exhibition was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. They ease people to get cigarette, even only by IDR500, you'll get it. Even more, by selling 10 doze of cigarette, the seller will be awarded one sack of rice, or other primary needs by its industries. It's getting worst since its marketing communication being fully-facilitated all around. I also find one advertisement right on the gate of smoking baby's village that's stated "The new generation is born!", it's ironic. However, I'm so delighted to know that Aldi is now being a normal kid after rehabilitation.
Switched, western people who work in tobacco industry admit that their people do not smoke whereas Indonesian people like to smoke, so they (read : Indonesian ppl) can smoke our cigarette. How could they fool us that way?
Well, tragically smoking is going to be hardly prevented today. Point to one particular sticked-tagline of cigarette brand : Go Ahead.
So what do you think about "Go Ahead" really means?
Is that : "Go Ahead pick up cigarette!"? ...it should be impressive for me.
Now we know on how major people start to consider this critical issue to be a general lie which is legal.
Let's go against it for better future. Make some move.
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