The Center for Health Behavior and Promotion, Faculty of Medicine Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK) took part in the collaborators’ Meeting ASSIST Project an international forum held in a hybrid manner from April 28 to May 2, 2025, with the main location in Cebu, Philippines. This activity was attended by various educational institutions such as the University of Glasgow, De La Salle University, University of Stirling, Evidence to Impact, and Universitas Gadjah Mada. The meeting aimed to evaluate and harmonize the implementation of the A Stop Smoking In Schools Trial (ASSIST) program in each country, as well as to design strategic steps for the sustainability of adolescent smoking prevention programs.
Five representatives from FK-KMK UGM directly represented the Indonesian team, namely Prof. Dra. Yayi Suryo Prabandari, M.Si., Ph.D.; Dr. Dra. Retna Siwi Padmawati, M.A.; dr. Bagas Suryo Bintoro, Ph.D.; Dagun Raisah Laksmi Pratiwi, S.H.G., M.P.H.; and Aliya Wardana Rustandi, S.Kep., Ns. The ASSIT Project is an innovative intervention that relies on the power of peer influence to informally deliver anti-smoking messages in the school setting. Through the peer support method, student who are considered positive influencers are trained to become agents of change among their peers. This strategy has proven to be relevant in the context of adolescent psychological development, which is strongly influenced by social circles and the school environment.
The meeting in Cebu included technical discussion sessions, cross-country evaluations, and a forum for exchanging experiences from various local contexts. Each partner was asked to explain the progress of implementation in their region, convey challenges, and formulate contextualized policy and technical recommendations. This forum is thus not only a place for coordination, but also a collaborative space to refine intervention designs that are more effective and responsive to local needs.
Effort to prevent smoking in adolescence are very important considering that adolescence is a crucial phase in the formation of long-term behavior. Smoking at an early age not only increases the risk of nicotine addiction, but also paves the way for various Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) later in life, such as heart disease, cancer and chronic respiratory disorders. Therefore, preventive interventions such as ASSIST have a huge impact in reducing the burden of disease due to tobacco consumption in the future.
The Faculty’s involvement in the ASSIST Project is also in line with its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Healthy and Prosperous Lives, which targets the reduction of mortality and disease due to tobacco consumption. In addition, the international cooperation aspect of this project also supports SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve Goals, by emphasizing the importance of collaboration between institutions and between statesmen to create evidence-based global solutions (Contributor: Dagun Raisah Lasmi Pratiwi, Aliya Wardana Rustandi, Sinta Ristiyanti; Translated by: Tedi Aprilianto)
