Smoking Cessation Intention Among Indonesian Smokers: The Role of Health Knowledge and Anti-smoking Advertising

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the association between knowledge of smoking-related diseases, exposure to anti-smoking advertising, sociodemographic factors with smoking cessation intention among current smokers.

Design

A quantitative cross-sectional design using secondary data from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Indonesia.

Setting

A nationally representative dataset covering Indonesian adults.

Sample

A total of 2874 adult current smokers aged 15 years and above.

Measures

Key variables included respondents’ knowledge of smoking-related diseases (lung cancer, heart attack, and stroke) and exposure to anti-smoking messages through five media channels: television, radio, newspapers, billboards, and the internet.

Analysis

Complex sample logistic regression to identify predictors of cessation intention while adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

Results

42.7% of smokers expressed an intention to quit. Knowledge of smoking-related diseases—particularly lung cancer—and exposure to anti-smoking messages via the internet were significant predictors of quit intention. Traditional media exposure and general health knowledge showed comparatively weaker associations.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that targeted tobacco control interventions should strengthen disease-specific health education and prioritize digital media strategies to enhance smoking cessation intention across diverse population groups.