Unplug social assistance if the poor are still smoking

KABARJAWA – Gunungkidul Regent, Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih, gave a warning to revoke social assistance for the poor who are still buying cigarettes.

He asserted, the government provided assistance to meet the basic needs of citizens, not for things that actually made health.

Regent Endah conveyed this strict warning when directly reviewing the distribution of assistance in his area, Tuesday (07/22/2025). The Gunungkidul Regency Government has distributed assistance in the form of food to thousands of poor people.

However, Endah emphasized that this assistance aims to ease the burden of their lives, rather than growing mentality of dependence without any effort to improve lifestyle.

He saw that there were still many social assistance recipients who buy cigarettes even though their economic conditions were alarming. He was concerned and disappointed to see the habit.

“I have conveyed to the Lurah, if there are recipients of social assistance who still use their money to smoke, buy cigarettes, and things outside of basic needs, then immediately evaluate in the village deliberation,” said Endah.

He stressed, the mental revolution must start from the family itself. Efforts to get out of poverty are not just the responsibility of the government.

The social assistance recipient must also have the awareness to save money, work hard, and leave consumptive habits such as smoking.

“Sorry, the necessities of human life are clothing, food, boards, not cigarettes. If you still waste money for cigarettes, how do you want to be prosperous?” said Endah.

He asserted, the government will continue to encourage changes in the mindset of the poor so as not to get caught up in structural poverty.

Endah asked the village head and lurah to conduct periodic evaluations of the recipients of social assistance. If the evaluation is found they are still smoking, the government will not hesitate to revoke their assistance rights.

“I will pull out their help if they remain unchanged. This is not a threat, but a form of my education and responsibility to the people,” he concluded.

The Gunungkidul Regency Government is now focusing on strengthening the mental revolution program and empowerment of poor families to reduce extreme poverty rates.

Endah hopes that the whole community can understand that getting out of poverty snares starts from intention, discipline, and self -awareness, not just waiting for help from the state. (EF Linangkung)