The participation of Forum Anak Surakarta in developing children-friendly public spaces into a smoke-free area

Abstract

Children Forum (Indonesian: Forum Anak) is a medium to express children’s interest in development. The availability of health and environment-friendly public spaces is one of children’s needs. This research aims to study the participation of Children Forum in developing a smoke-free public space in Surakarta City. This study is a descriptive qualitative research using case study approach. The informants were selected purposively, consisting of staff in Children Protection Division of Women Empowerment, Children Protection, and Community Empowerment Office, Head of Self-Help Group (Yayasan Kakak or Kakak Foundation), and 15 members and 1 facilitator of Children Forum in Surakarta. Data collection was carried out through observation, in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and documentation study. Data analysis was carried out using an interactive model of analysis, encompassing three stages: data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results concluded that as a part of civil society, Forum Anak Surakarta has successfully urged the ratification of smoke-free area policy but cannot ensure its effective implementation. The inhibiting factors are people’s low awareness of the hazard of cigarette smoke to children and regional government’s weak commitment to control cigarette consumption and advertisement, promotion, and sponsor.