Tobacco Control for Children in Indonesia: Policy Implementation Gaps, Institutional Fragmentation, and Alignment With the WHO MPOWER Framework

Indonesia continues to face a persistent public health challenge due to high levels of youth smoking tobacco use. Despite the presence of multiple regulatory frameworks and national policy commitments, youth smoking prevalence remains high and has shown limited decline over the past decade. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of tobacco control strategies targeting youth smoking in Indonesia and to identify key policy implementation gaps. A qualitative policy case study approach was employed using data derived from in‐depth interviews with key informants and a systematic review of national policy documents, government regulations, and national health survey reports. The analysis combined triangulation, thematic analysis using NVivo software, and a policy gap assessment based on the World Health Organization's MPOWER framework. The findings reveal several structural weaknesses in Indonesia's tobacco control governance. Major gaps include the absence of comprehensive regulation of digital tobacco advertising, the persistence of a complex multi‐tiered excise tax structure that maintains cigarette affordability for youth, and limited availability of smoking cessation services. In addition, national development planning documents lack measurable indicators specifically targeting reductions in youth smoking prevalence, while cross‐sectoral coordination among government institutions remains fragmented. Overall, Indonesia represents a case of regulatory presence without effective implementation. Without stronger institutional coordination and the adoption of evidence‐based strategies, including ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), excise tax reform, comprehensive advertising bans, and expanded cessation services. Without these measures, efforts to reduce youth smoking prevalence are likely to remain limited.