Taking Place at Udayana University, ICTOH 2025 Carries the Theme: Revealing the Tactics of the Tobacco and Nicotine Products Industry

Denpasar - Indonesia Conference on Tobacco Control (ICTOH) 2025 was held at Udayana University (Unud) Bali, 26-28 May 2025. ICTOH 2025 carried the theme "Uncovering Industrial Tactics for Tobacco and Nicotine Products". The opening of ICTOH 2025 took place in the Meeting Room dr. A.A Made Djelantik, Faculty of Medicine, Unud, Sudirman Campus, Denpasar and opened by the Expert Group Coordinator representing the Governor of Bali, Tuesday (27/5/2025). As the keynote speaker in this activity was the Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin who delivered material virtually.

Chairman of TCSC IAKMI as chairman of the 10th ICTOH 2025 committee, dr. Sumarjati Arjoso, SKM in her report stated that the theme raised at this year's ICTOH is in line with the theme set by WHO for World No Tobacco Day 2025. This theme is expected to make people aware, especially young people, not to be tied to sponsorship advertisements, scholarships and other things that cause these children to become lifelong. This year's 10th ICTOH was held in Denpasar in collaboration with Udayana University, especially Udayana Central and this is actually a 12 year journey because the pandemic was over. 

"It is hoped that with the momentum of the 10th ICTOH we will be able to work together from various parties, speakers, oral presenters and the government and so on, then we will jointly mobilize strength in improving tobacco control for our future generations of children so that they can be healthier and welcome a Golden Indonesia," she said.

As a series of activities, a pre-event Youth Forum was also held for young people which also resulted in the Bali Declaration which would be very good if it could be implemented by various parties, especially the government, in supporting this tobacco control program. Hopefully this declaration can encourage all policy makers to be serious about controlling tobacco or cigarettes so they can achieve a Golden Indonesia.

Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation and Information Prof. Dr. Dr. I Putu Gede Adiatmika representing the Rector of Unud in his speech hoped that this activity would make a positive contribution to efforts to deal with tobacco and all its products. The younger generation is very easily exposed to various cigarette advertisements and promotions, therefore joint efforts are needed to overcome these components. Industry players will usually use various strategies to convey their products so that they attract the attention of the younger generation. The Vice Rector appreciated the implementation of ICTOH as a good effort to support efforts to control tobacco, especially cigarettes, in order to maintain the health of the community and the younger generation.

"The hope is that from this activity new efforts and innovations will emerge in the field of tobacco control, so that we can invite more sectors to realize this through various efforts," said the Vice Rector.

Through this opportunity, the party also expressed support for all efforts to control tobacco through various efforts such as issuing a Rector's Decree regarding No-Smoking Areas on campus, installing prohibitory signs, educating about the dangers of smoking targeting lecturers, students and education staff.

The Governor of Bali in his speech read by the Expert Group Coordinator Prof. Dr. Drh. I Made Damriyasa, MS said that this activity was an important moment to strengthen joint commitment in controlling the increasingly worrying impact of tobacco. The theme raised is very appropriate and urgent to be highlighted. All parties are aware that behind the increase in tobacco consumption, there is a systematic and organized strategy from the industry that tries to obscure the negative impacts of smoking for short-term economic interests. The Bali Provincial Government is committed to supporting strict and fair tobacco control policies and encouraging community education efforts, especially the younger generation.