Smoking behavior
among high school students has been found to seriously affect both physical
health and adolescent moral development. This finding was presented by Karmila
P. Lamadang, Bahrun S. Hamadi, Ilmi Dwi Purnamasari Kumali, Nurul Avia, and
Nurhaida Tolodo from Universitas Muhammadiyah Luwuk Banggai in a scientific
article published in the International Journal of Advanced Technology and
Social Sciences (IJATSS) in 2026. The study was conducted at State Senior
High School 1 North Tinangkung (SMA Negeri 1 Tinangkung Utara) and is
considered important because it highlights the threat of smoking not only to
active smokers but also to the wider school environment, including students’
character formation from the perspective of Islamic Religious Education.
Smoking among
adolescents remains a serious issue in Indonesia’s educational environment. The
high school years are a developmental stage highly vulnerable to social
influence, curiosity, and the desire to appear mature. In this context,
cigarettes are often perceived by some students as a symbol of group acceptance
or a marker of “adulthood.” However, the study reveals much broader
consequences: health problems, violations of school discipline, and the
weakening of moral values and personal responsibility.
Karmila P.
Lamadang and the research team found that peer influence was the most dominant
trigger. Many students first tried cigarettes because of invitations from
friends, peer pressure, or the desire to be accepted in their social circles.
In addition, family background, surrounding environment, and simple curiosity
further increased the likelihood of developing the habit.
The study identified several major findings:
From a health
perspective, the most visible effect was damage to the respiratory system.
Students who smoked reported more frequent coughing, breathing difficulties,
and reduced immunity. Meanwhile, non-smoking students remained at risk because
they were often exposed to cigarette smoke both at school and at home. This
reinforces that the impact of smoking is not only individual but also
collective.
From the
perspective of Islamic Religious Education, smoking is viewed as contradictory
to the principle of preserving health as a trust from Allah SWT. Values such as
discipline, responsibility, self-care, and avoiding harm to others form the
moral foundation that is considered inconsistent with smoking habits.
Interestingly, the study found that students with a stronger religious
understanding were more likely to feel regret and show a desire to quit.
Karmila P.
Lamadang from Universitas Muhammadiyah Luwuk Banggai emphasized that religious
education holds a strategic position as a moral shield in reducing deviant
behavior among adolescents. When religious values are consistently integrated
into learning and character-building activities, students become better able to
control themselves against habits that harm their health.
The implications
of this study are highly relevant for education and school policy. The findings
underline the need for consistently monitored smoke-free zones, rather than
relying solely on written regulations. Schools also need to strengthen health
education, counseling services, and positive extracurricular activities so
students have healthier and more productive alternatives.
For Islamic
Religious Education teachers, the study demonstrates the importance of
integrating lessons about maintaining health, moral conduct, and personal
responsibility into everyday teaching. For guidance counselors, empathetic and
continuous counseling approaches can gradually help students break free from
smoking habits.
The role of
parents is equally crucial. The research confirms that warm communication at
home, supervision, and positive role modeling strongly influence whether
children decide to try or avoid cigarettes.
Author Profile
Karmila P. Lamadang is an academic from Universitas Muhammadiyah Luwuk Banggai
whose expertise focuses on Islamic religious education, adolescent character
development, and student social behavior. In this study, she collaborated with
Bahrun S. Hamadi, Ilmi Dwi Purnamasari Kumali, Nurul Avia, and Nurhaida Tolodo
to strengthen the discussion on the relationship between smoking behavior,
health, and student morality in secondary schools.
Research Source
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijatss.v4i3.187
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