Smoke-Free Generation: A School-Based Smoking Prevention Program at SMPN 29 Bandung

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco use among adolescents is a significant public health issue in Indonesia. Early initiation of smoking increases the risk of long-term addiction and chronic diseases. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure and environmental influences that promote smoking. Therefore, early health education is essential to provide accurate knowledge and build awareness about the dangers of smoking. Objective:  This community service program aimed to improve students’ understanding of the health risks associated with smoking and to promote healthy behaviors among adolescents at SMPN 29 Kota Bandung. The objective was to present scientific information on the effects of smoking and encourage students to reflect critically on its impact. Method:  The program was conducted at SMPN 29 Kota Bandung with the participation of 60 students. The intervention included: (1) a pre-test to measure students’ baseline knowledge, (2) a 60-minute educational session delivered through multimedia presentations, case examples, and interactive discussions covering the effects of smoking on various body systems, (3) a question-and-answer session to address misconceptions, and (4) a post-test to assess changes in knowledge. Educational leaflets were distributed to support ongoing learning at home. Conclusion: The activity resulted in a measurable improvement in students' knowledge of the dangers of smoking. Participants were actively engaged and showed increased awareness after the session. These findings underscore the importance of school-based health education programs as an effective approach to prevent smoking among adolescents.