REDUCING THE PREVALENCE OF SMOKING AMONG STREET CHILDREN TO MAINTAIN THE SUSTAINABILITY OF A HEALTHY CITY IN THE URBAN AREA OF JAKARTA, INDONESIA

Street children in urban community need protection against several risk factors easily affecting them, one of which is smoking habit. Interventions targeting their smoking habits will improve public health and healthy social life to maintain the sustainability of a healthy city. This study aims to provide an overview and evidence of street children’s condition as a driving force for more comprehensive government policies to reduce the smoking prevalence among street children. This qualitative study was conducted through focused group discussions with 38 street children in Jakarta and greater areas. Availability of affordable, cheaper and accessible cigarettes at points of sale, also ineffective education on smoking are factors making the street children difficult to stop smoking. The government needs to implement policies to address these challenges, such as raising cigarette prices and strictly banning cigarette sales to children. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen policies supporting the tobacco control while also supporting the implementation of sustainable healthy city policy. An integrated intervention program involving all stakeholders is essential. This study lays the foundation for comprehensive policies addressing the child smoking prevalence and maintaining the sustainability of a healthy city.