BACKGROUND: Effective leadership and advocacy are essential in addressing tobacco control challenges. In the lead-up to Indonesia's 2024 presidential election, the country faced a critical juncture with three prominent candidates, none of whom prominently addressed health issues in their campaigns—particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or tobacco control. Despite Indonesia's high tobacco consumption and its severe health impacts, political attention to this issue remained limited. To inform strategic policymaking and advocacy, a national survey was conducted to explore public perceptions of health issues, tobacco control, and the responsiveness of prospective presidential candidates.
METHODS: A quantitative survey was conducted from May 2–10, 2023, using multistage random sampling. A total of 880 respondents, representative of Indonesia’s population aged 17 years or older, participated. The survey assessed public perceptions of tobacco consumption, support for tobacco control policies, and preferences for candidates prioritizing this issue.
RESULTS: A total of 76.8% of respondents viewed tobacco consumption as highly concerning, and 81.2% recognized the significant health impacts of smoking. However, only 38.9% believed presidential candidates showed significant attention to reducing smoking rates. Additionally, 74.6% supported stricter policies to curb tobacco use, and 63.5% expressed a willingness to vote for candidates prioritizing tobacco control. These findings highlight a gap between public awareness and political commitment to tobacco control.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings emphasize the need for presidential candidates to address public health issues, including tobacco control, to clarify their positions and commitments. Advocacy strategies should leverage public opinion to hold policymakers accountable and foster collaboration between civil society and government. This study highlights the importance of evidence-based advocacy in strengthening public health policies and aligning political leadership with community priorities.