BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Indonesia faces persistent challenges in tobacco control, with aggressive marketing strategies targeting youth through advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. Within this context, the Muhammadiyah Students Association (Ikatan Pelajar Muhammadiyah-TC IPM) launched faith-based school programs to align with Muhammadiyah's fatwa declaring smoking haram. These programs targeted Muhammadiyah schools in the Greater Jakarta area, engaging 70 students and 70 teachers in tobacco control initiatives. The programs aimed to counter tobacco’s appeal to youth by promoting Islamic teachings, fostering advocacy, and strengthening adherence to tobacco-free policies. Key challenges included ingrained social acceptance of smoking and weak enforcement of tobacco control regulations.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: IPM implemented two major initiatives: the Tobacco Control National Leadership Training (TCNLT) and the National Young Teacher Training on Tobacco Control (NYTTTC). These programs combined expert-led training, focus group discussions, media advocacy projects, and support for implementing government regulations. The curriculum emphasized tobacco-free lifestyles, localized strategies to address community-specific challenges, and actionable plans to advance tobacco control measures in schools. Participants were equipped with skills to advocate for smoke-free environments and enforce the smoking prohibition outlined in the fatwa.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The program significantly strengthened smoke-free policies and tobacco control advocacy within Muhammadiyah schools. Teachers and students successfully promoted regulatory compliance and fostered a culture of tobacco rejection, enhancing awareness among peers and communities. This comprehensive approach has demonstrated the efficacy of integrating faith-based principles into public health strategies. However, the program highlighted the need for broader outreach and deeper engagement with stakeholders to ensure sustainability.
CONCLUSIONS: IPM’s faith-driven approach demonstrates how integrating cultural and religious values can enhance tobacco control efforts. Expanding the program to train young doctors and journalists while leveraging lessons from teacher training offers promising opportunities for scaling impact. This model serves as an adaptable blueprint for other regions facing similar challenges in tobacco control.