Manik Marganamahendra named 2025 Global Young Ambassador for Leadership in Tobacco Control
May 30, 2025
Washington, D.C. – The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has named Manik Marganamahendra, executive director of the Indonesia Youth Council for Tactical Changes (IYCTC), as the 2025 Global Young Ambassador of the Year Award, a recognition that highlights outstanding youth leadership in the fight against tobacco use and its devastating impact on public health.
Now in its second year, the Global Young Ambassador Award honors a young advocate who has demonstrated bold leadership in advancing tobacco control policies and mobilizing youth to protect their generation from the harms of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
Marganamahendra is a fearless social activist from Bogor, Indonesia. He began his involvement in tobacco control nearly a decade ago at the University of Indonesia where he led student-driven protests and petitions to oppose legislation that favored the tobacco industry and weakened public health protections. His work mobilized thousands of students and marked the beginning of his long-term commitment to youth-centered advocacy.
As Executive Director of IYCTC, Marganamahendra leads one of Indonesia’s most dynamic youth-led organizations focused on meaningful participation in policymaking. Under his leadership, IYCTC has been recognized by the Ministry of Health as a key partner in drafting regulations banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship on digital media platforms.
In 2023 and 2024, he led the coordination of 55 youth organizations across 34 provinces in a nationwide movement for a smoke-free Indonesia. These efforts helped build public and political support for the successful adoption of stronger national tobacco control policies including smoke-free public places, graphic health warnings, standardized packaging, bans on single stick sales, and restrictions on point-of-sale marketing.
The recognition of Marganamahendra’s work comes as the global community observes World No Tobacco Day themed “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.” This year’s theme calls attention to the manipulative strategies used by the tobacco and nicotine industries to attract young consumers through product design, marketing and digital engagement. Marganamahendra’s leadership directly counters these tactics by elevating youth voices to shape policies that protect their generation from addiction and exploitation.
“The recent passing of a strong tobacco control policies in Indonesia that together, we can win,” Marganamahendra said. “We will keep going and keep pushing, because when history looks back, it will remember that we stood for health and we stood for justice,” he said.
Indonesia is the world’s second-largest cigarette market and faces some of the highest youth smoking rates globally, often described as the tobacco industry’s playground.
His recognition as the 2025 Global Young Ambassador underscores the critical role youth play in driving tobacco control progress and shaping a healthier future for all.