Beware: Cigarette Smoke is a Major Cause of Chronic Lung Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a global issue, especially in Indonesia. COPD causes airflow obstruction in the lungs.
One cause of COPD is long-term exposure to irritants, such as cigarette smoke. The main symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, chronic cough, and excessive phlegm production.
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists COPD as the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 3.5 million deaths in 2021.
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Although not a contagious disease, COPD is a treatable obstructive pulmonary disease. Therefore, preventive measures are important to prevent symptoms and decreased lung function from worsening.
COPD is caused by significant exposure to harmful particles or gases in the airways and lung tissue. One such harmful gas is cigarette smoke.
According to data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) by the Ministry of Health, an estimated 70 million people are active smokers. 7.4 percent of these smokers are aged 10-18.
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Given these conditions, education and persuasive communication with the public are crucial. Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke is a crucial step in COPD prevention.