REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, known to many people as the spokesman of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) passed away on July 7, after more than a year of battling lung cancer. His death gave a warning, that smoke-free areas are really necessary, in order to protect many people. 

The warning was stated by Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) chairman Tulus Abadi on Monday (July 8). He urged all parties to realize work places and public places to be smoke-free areas. 

“It’s very urgent that all work places and public places to be smoke-free areas and no compromise related to this matter,” said Tulus through written statement on Monday (July 8). 

Tulus said lung cancer that suffered by Sutopo should make many people’s eyes more open. They must realize the importance of smoke-free areas everywhere. 

According to Tulus, Sutopo was one of the best people in this country who must die due to cancer. He must suffered lung cancer, eventhough maintain healthy life and obviously became non-smoker person. 

However, Sutopo once admitted that his work environment was full of cigarette smoke. He often could not avoid it and he was not alone. Many people in Indonesia who became passive smokers. 

“Mr Sutopo is not alone, according to Basic Health Research in 2013, the number of passive smokers reached more than 90 people and more than 12 million were children aged 0 to 4 years old,” Tulus explained. 

Tulus said passive smokers often exposed to cigarette smoke at their work places or even own houses. The risk factor of lung cancer for passive smokers is four times, while active smokers is 13,6 times. 

“To breath healthy air without contaminants from cigarette smoke is the basic right for everyone, everywhere they are,” Tulus added.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika