Indonesia: Minister Susi Applauded for Trying To Quit Smoking

Source from:  Jakarta Post 11/07/2014

Health Minister Nila F Moeloek said that she appreciated Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti's efforts to stop smoking.

"I have thanked her [Susi] because her intention to stop smoking is not only good for her health, but will also have a wider impact on people," she said on Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com.

She explained that the intention to stop smoking could not be forced by outsiders, as such a motivation had to come from smokers themselves.

"The most important thing is that youths are not educated to be smokers," she said.

Last Saturday, Susi told residents that she was trying to stop her smoking habit during a visit to her hometown of Pangandaran, West Java.

However, she said that her habit could not be stopped in a short time.

"Right now, I can smoke once in four hours," she said regarding her efforts to reduce smoking.

The public has criticized Susi's smoking habit since she was inaugurated by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo as a member of his Cabinet. Most criticism has focused on the fact that because she is a public official, she should display good behavior at all times in front of others. Enditem