Father supports toddler’s smoking habit

Another child smoker has been found in South Sumatra, this time 20-month-old Reno Ardiansyah of Dusun III hamlet in Prabumulih, South Sumatra.

Reno’s father, Deli Kusnadi, 34, said the boy had been smoking since he was 14 months old. Reno had picked up the habit by licking and puffing on cigarette butts.

Earlier, a 30-month-old Al from Musi Banyuasin regency in South Sumatra, made headlines in local, national and international media because of his smoking habit, apparently since he was 11 months old.

Unlike Al, who smokes because of his surroundings, the origins of Reno’s habit remain unclear.

“We don’t know exactly why he took up the bad habit,” Deli said, adding that his son would often ask for cigarettes and cry if he did not get them.

The toddler is no different to other boys of his age, but whenever he sees someone smoking his behavior changes.

Prabumulih municipal councilor Edi Rianto expressed grave concerns at the news. The child’s habit was a result of lax parental supervision, he said.