Towards a Healthy Campus: Public Health Students Advocate for the Implementation of a Smoke-Free Area and Waste Segregation System at the FVM Udayana Canteen

• Posted by: Admin
• Rabu, 24 Juni 2026
• Has been read 132 time(s)

Denpasar, June 24, 2026 – The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Udayana University (FVM Udayana), welcomed a visit from students of the Public Health Study Program as part of their advocacy practice for a public health course. The activity, held in the 1st Floor Meeting Room of FVM Udayana, Sudirman Campus, focused on the implementation of a Smoke-Free Area policy and a waste segregation system in the faculty canteen.

The meeting was chaired by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Planning and the Vice Dean for General Affairs and Finance. It was attended by the Administrative Coordinator, Sub-Coordinators, canteen management representatives, and Public Health students, who presented the results of their observations and situational analysis conducted within the campus environment.

In their presentation, the students highlighted that smoking activities are still commonly found in the canteen area. In addition, adequate waste segregation facilities are not yet available, resulting in mixed waste disposal and suboptimal waste management. These conditions were considered to have potentially adverse impacts on both public health and the environment.

From a health perspective, exposure to cigarette smoke can reduce the comfort of canteen visitors and increase the risk of health problems, particularly respiratory diseases. Meanwhile, from an environmental standpoint, the absence of proper waste segregation can lead to decreased cleanliness and aesthetic quality of the campus environment, while also complicating the waste management process.

The Public Health students also emphasized that the implementation of a Smoke-Free Area policy and a waste segregation system is in line with existing regulations, including Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health, which designates educational institutions as Smoke-Free Areas, and Government Regulation Number 81 of 2012 on the Management of Household Waste and Household-Like Waste, which requires public facility managers to provide adequate waste segregation facilities.

As part of their advocacy efforts, the students proposed several policy recommendations, including the issuance of an official policy regarding Smoke-Free Areas within the canteen, the provision of segregated waste bins for organic, inorganic, and residual waste, as well as the installation of educational media such as stickers, posters, and regular awareness campaigns on the importance of maintaining a healthy and clean environment.

Through the implementation of these recommendations, it is expected that, in the short term, smoking activities in the canteen area will be significantly reduced, environmental cleanliness will improve, and compliance with existing regulations will increase. In the long term, these measures are expected to contribute to the creation of a healthy, comfortable, smoke-free, and sustainable campus environment, while also strengthening the culture of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior within FVM Udayana.

FVM Udayana welcomed the input and recommendations presented by the Public Health students. The synergy between the academic community and students is expected to serve as a concrete step toward creating a healthier, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly campus for all members of the academic community.