JAMBI | INDATANEWS.COM - The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) of Jambi City has expressed concern over public health amid smoke haze affecting air conditions in Jambi. As a concrete measure, PWI Jambi City distributed around 500 masks to students and teachers of SMA YPWI Jambi City on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The Chairman of PWI
Jambi City, Irwansyah, symbolically handed over the
masks to the Principal of
SMA YPWI Jambi City, Bonarti Lubis, S.Pd., M.Pd. Irwansyah was accompanied by PWI
Jambi City Secretary Andri Briliant Avolda and several members of the PWI
Jambi City board during the handover.
The mask distribution is part of PWI Jambi City's efforts to support students and teachers in dealing with the effects of smoke haze and air pollution. The situation requires attention because exposure to smoke can increase the risk of health problems, particularly those affecting the respiratory system.
PWI
Jambi Focuses on Students' Health
Irwansyah said PWI Jambi City deliberately chose a school as the location for the activity because students and teachers are also exposed to the risk of smoke haze in their daily activities. The masks are intended to help reduce exposure to air pollutants when they need to be outdoors.
"Together with the secretary, I symbolically handed over around 500
masks for the students and teachers to support efforts to prevent the effects of the
smoke haze," said PWI
Jambi City Chairman Irwansyah.
According to Irwansyah, smoke haze caused by forest and land fires, known locally as Karhutla, affects not only visibility and public comfort but can also have health impacts. Under certain conditions, smoke exposure can trigger acute respiratory infections (ISPA), coughing and throat irritation, as well as worsen symptoms among people with asthma.
For this reason, PWI
Jambi City considers mask distribution a simple measure that can help students and teachers improve their personal protection, particularly when they are required to remain outdoors while air quality deteriorates because of
smoke haze.
Irwansyah added that concern over the effects of smoke haze resulting from forest and land fires could not be expressed through appeals alone. In his view, the public also needs concrete measures that can help reduce health risks associated with smoke exposure.
"Concern over the effects of
smoke haze caused by forest and land fires (Karhutla) is being demonstrated through concrete measures such as the free distribution of
masks, as well as the provision of information and health education for affected people and students," he said.
STUDENTS URGED TO LIMIT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: PWI Jambi City Chairman Irwansyah urges students to reduce outdoor activities and drink more water during the smoke exposure. (PHOTO: Dalil Harahap)
Students Urged to Limit Outdoor Activities
In addition to distributing masks, PWI Jambi City reminded students to pay greater attention to their health during the ongoing smoke exposure. Irwansyah urged students to reduce outdoor activities after school, particularly when air quality conditions are unfavorable.
He also encouraged students to drink more water to help maintain their physical condition while being exposed to unhealthy air.
"This activity is not merely a simple mask distribution, but also a concrete expression of PWI Jambi City's commitment to being present in the community," he added.
Irwansyah said the activity also provided an opportunity for PWI
Jambi City to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting health. In his view, personal protection must be addressed collectively when people face various health risks related to air quality.
Through the simple initiative, PWI Jambi City hopes students and teachers will become more aware of the effects of smoke haze. Wearing a mask is one of the protective measures that can be taken when people must remain in areas where the air is affected by smoke.
PWI
Jambi City also appealed to the public not to ignore respiratory complaints associated with smoke exposure. Awareness of limiting outdoor activities, using respiratory protection and maintaining adequate fluid intake is part of the effort to protect health during prolonged smoke exposure.
APPRECIATION FOR PWI JAMBI'S MASK DISTRIBUTION: Principal of SMA YPWI Jambi City Bonarti Lubis appreciates the mask distribution by PWI Jambi City, which she said helps protect students and teachers from the effects of smoke haze. (PHOTO: Dalil Harahap)
SMA YPWI Appreciates PWI Support
The Principal of SMA YPWI Jambi City, Bonarti Lubis, expressed her appreciation to PWI Jambi City for its attention to the school's students and teachers. She said the masks provided were useful for the school community amid the smoke haze, which could affect health.
"Of course, the distribution of these
masks is very helpful in providing protection against the effects of the
smoke haze, which can affect respiratory health," she said.
Bonarti said PWI Jambi City's attention demonstrated its commitment to the educational environment, particularly to the safety and health of students. In her view, smoke exposure requires attention from various parties so that educational activities can continue while taking the health of the school community into account.
The mask distribution also served as a reminder for students not to neglect their health when air quality deteriorates. The school and teachers can continue encouraging students to follow preventive measures and reduce activities that could increase their exposure to smoke.
For PWI Jambi City, its commitment does not end with the distribution of masks. The journalists' organization wants the social initiative to be understood as an expression of the press's responsibility toward issues that directly affect people's daily lives.
By distributing around 500
masks, PWI
Jambi City hopes students and teachers at
SMA YPWI will receive additional protection in dealing with
smoke haze. At the same time, the initiative is intended to strengthen public awareness of the importance of protecting respiratory health when air quality deteriorates.
The initiative also illustrates the role of the press, which not only provides information to the public but can also contribute to strengthening social awareness through activities that provide direct benefits to the local community. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Dalil Harahap | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala