Many smokers pick up the habit at an early age, but there are probably not many who started as early as Rapi Pamungkas.
This Indonesian 2-year-old apparently started smoking by picking up discarded cigarette butts nearby his mother’s market stall, which older boys would then light for him, and now reportedly goes through 40 cigarettes a day.
Soon after starting smoking, Rapi became hooked and soon became famous in his native city of Sukabumi for harassing passers-by and pestering them for cigarettes.
Many locals found his antics amusing and would give him cigarettes, laughing as he lit them up. Videos of the extremely young child started doing the round online, and his story recently went viral worldwide. In some of these videos, people can be seen trying to take the cigarette from Rapi; he responds by scowling and pulling the cigarette back.
Rapi has allegedly been addicted to smoking for around 2 months. Apparently, he also likes to have coffee and cake with his nicotine fix. His mother Maryati has admitted to supplying her young son with two packs of cigarettes a day. She says that without them, her son would throw tantrums.
“He has been smoking every day for around two months. If I don’t give him a cigarette, my child goes berserk. If Rapi doesn’t get cigarettes he cannot sleep. He will start rampaging and crying,” Maryati told reporters.
Rapi’s parents (who have attracted some harsh criticism online) are planning on taking their child to the doctor in order to help him break his smoking habit. Rapi’s habit serves as a warning to parents—failure to say no to your kids can quickly spiral out of control.
Indonesia has one of the highest rates of smoking in the world, and child smokers are becoming a real problem. According to statistics, around 9% of Indonesians under the age of 18 smoke regularly.
In 2010, Ardi Rizal, who was also 2-years-old at the time, also made international news headlines for his 40-cigarettes-a-day habit.
Latest Stories
-
Galamsey: Investigation into attack on Joy News’ Erastus Asare and colleagues already growing cold
26 mins -
Mahama promises construction of stadia in all 16 regions if elected
43 mins -
Dampare has transformed Police training school – Bawumia
47 mins -
America braced as two stark visions collide on election day
48 mins -
NAPO urges Ghanaians to support NPP’s vision for national development
57 mins -
About 95% of PWDs in Obuasi have source of livelihood – MCE
1 hour -
Immigration Service intercepts 54 gallons of fuel
1 hour -
Election 2024: Roman Fada selected as flagbearer for Ghana Freedom Party
1 hour -
Bawumia to launch Ghana’s credit scoring system on Nov. 7
1 hour -
Alan to combat galamsey with strategic youth-centred business model
2 hours -
Agona Swedru chiefs commit to ending child marriage within their jurisdiction
2 hours -
Sunyani Traditional Council endorses Bawumia – NAPO government
2 hours -
Adutwum defends double track in Free SHS, citing research and positive outcomes
2 hours -
‘Prevent and condemn illegal pressure on Judiciary’ – AG to GBA
2 hours -
Mahama alleges biased development allocation by NPP
2 hours