ABSTRACT
Prevention of adolescent smoking behavior is no progress. This condition is the impact of failure in defining barriers in this activity. This study aims to explore the barriers to preventing early adolescent smoking behavior. This study used a qualitative method for 52 selected participants (junior high school students, parents of students, religious leaders, community leaders, representatives of the Office of Health, and representatives of the Office of Education). The researchers carried out data collection using semi-structured interviews. From the interviews, the researchers identified the barriers to the prevention of early adolescent smoking behavior from various perspectives. The researchers divided research results into internal barriers and external barriers. Internal barriers are in the form of attitudes toward smoking behavior and low motivation to not smoke. External barriers are ease of access to cigarettes, lack of parental participation, influence from strong peers, and socio-culture. Barriers to the prevention of smoking behavior spread in various aspects. Identifying its factors that can overcome barriers to preventing smoking behavior in early adolescence. This information can optimize the preparation of health education to adolescents to prevent their smoking behavior.
