http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ0aZu25L_Q
Blowing smoke rings as a teen was pretty cool. Of course, that was before I understood the implications and health issues — and that I wasn’t invincible — and quit smoking cigs in my late 20s.
This Sumatran toddler may not have the benefit of maturity to open his eyes to the dangers. Hell, at 40 cigarettes a day, he might not get a chance to blow smoke rings as a rebellious 16-year-old.
The government has tried to help, even offering the parents a car if they get the kid to quit.
His parents say the toddler gets too angry without cigs. And that he looks fine. Yes, fine!
This made me ill….blech! And the parents passed up a car?! Scandalous.
A couple of things:
This child does not look 2. He is too coordinated both with his hands and his oral motor function. His size may be that of a two year old, but when you consider that children in underdeveloped countries are much smaller than Americans, I am not so surprised. He looks closer to 5.
This is the truth about Big Tobacco. They market stronger cigarettes in other countries than in America because they are not regulated. Children in many countries, especially poor ones get the free samples and then develop a habit. It is all about the money! Remember, the purpose of a tobacco company is to maximize profit.
Smoking is culturally acceptable in these countries and the parents often do not realize that smoking is dangerous to the health. Literacy rates are very low and schools often non-existent or too expensive for the poor. In some of these countries maternal-infant death rate is as high as 50% and health care non-existent.