In an effort to reduce the increasing number of smokers in Indonesia, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta has stated an intention to create a “Kampus Senyaman Taman” program, which is short for “Kampus sehat, nyaman, tertib, aman” which translates to a campus that is healthy, comfortable, orderly, and safe. In addition, UMY has also formed a task force to help make the “Kampus Senyaman Taman” program succeed.

This was announced by UMY’ Vice Rector of Academics, Dr. Sukamta, S.T., M.T at the climax of the National No Tobacco Day 2019 event, which was hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Muhammadiyah Tobacco Control Center (MTCC) UMY. This event took place on Thursday (11/7), at the KH. Ibrahim E.6 building of UMY’s Central Campus.

In his statement, Sukamta stated that the Kampus Senyaman Taman program will involve every academic aspect of UMY. Therefore, a task force was formed and will consist of the Leading Members of the University, heads of the various faculties and programs, work units, security guards, and student organizations.

“Their tasks will involve taking persuasive actions such as campaigning and persuading fellow students to implement the Kampus Senyaman Taman program. Usually, if a friend is the one giving them the advice, they tend to follow it. If a misdemeanour has been performed, then the bodies we have appointed will interfere. This includes the MTCC, disabilities center, Firdaus clinic, Asri Medical Center’s specialized no-smoking clinic, and direct training from the Vice Rector of Human Resources,” He stated.

The statement was emphasized by the Rector of UMY, Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, M.P. In his opening statement, he stated that UMY has consistently won the green campus award five times in a row. “Therefore, UMY is completely focused on the healthiness and cleanliness of our campus environment. Because academic achievement is very affected by the environmental health of the campus”.

According to Gunawan, in addition to warning of the dangers of smoking, the Kampus Senyaman Taman program also has four important points, namely a smoke-free campus; and clean and green campus; a fully accessible campus that is friendly to the disabled; and an orderly and safe campus. “Further development of the UMY campus buildings have considered a green and disabled-friendly architecture. One example of a building that uses the green and accessible concept is the new admission building, located at the very front of the campus. Hopefully, the new building can innovate UMY to build other green buildings in the future and achieve more accolades,” He added.

The National No Tobacco Day also took place in three other cities, namely Jakarta, Bali, and Bogor. UMY acted as the host of this event. During the event, a video conference connecting Jakarta, Bali, Bogor, and Yogyakarta was hosted. The theme of this event was “Do Not let Cigarettes Take our Breath Away”. (ads)”