Controversy has no boundaries in journalism. It does not matter who you are or where you come from, but if you possess that certain recipe that make people gape and shake their heads in speculation, it will always have a place in the headlines.
One such example surrounds the recent release of a video of a 2-year old Indonesian boy smoking. Ardi Rizal, a child who lives in Musi Banyuasin village, is making heads turn both internationally and locally.
His addiction started when his father gave him his very first cigarette when he was just eighteen months old. A couple of years later, he's showing evident signs of addiction already - he prefers one kind of brand, which he smokes around 40 cigarettes per day. His mother even stated that if he does not get his nicotine fix, he throws heavy tantrums, to the point where he bangs himself on the wall.
While international reports express outrage, the local media have done the opposite, exploiting Ardi as a local celebrity. A couple days ago, I watched this feature in a local infotainment show that followed him around Dufan (an amusement park equivalent to Enchanted Kingdom). As he aimlessly walks around with a cigarette on his hand, people continue to stop and stare. The occasional picture-taking and chuckles in the background and hey, even though it's prohibited to smoke in a family amusement park, it doesn't matter because he's considered a boy wonder.
Like other third-world countries, smoking is an integral part of the culture here, regardless of age, sex or class. Even though the warning sign is stamped , when it comes to rules, almost no one follows it.
If a baby from the Western world was seen however, it will definitely be slammed down with claims of child abuse and cruelty. But in Indonesia, one of biggest tobacco consumer countries in the world, the reception is different. One of the countries' largest sources of revenue have caused young boys like Ardi to start smoking at a young age. Blame it on the youth culture or the fact that tobacco companies is a staple revenue of the nation' economy. Therefore, just as long as there is demand, supply will always follow.
One thing I noticed about the tobacco companies here is that their ad campaigns are heavily catered towards the young market. If you watch the local channels, probably 4 out of 10 commercials that appears during breaks are from tobacco companies.
Tobacco billboard advertising are also highly prominent within the streets. While the law prohibits them from advertising people smoking the cigarette itself, the message that sends through the watcher is the same - when you smoke, it is the essence of youth culture. Events they sponsor include the international DJs gigs and band competitions. There was even a recent controversy when groups of anti-smoking advocates complained that Kelly Clarkson was promoting the cancer-causing sticks, since her concert was sponsored by a tobacco company.
It's hard to be totally against it all since I'd be a hypocrite if I do. But there has to be limits when it comes to issues like this. The boy doesn't know what's he's doing is dangerous to his health and to think, people around him are egging him on. I guess it's hard to shun it away since the society he lives in actually embraces it.
Back to Ardi, I feel rather sorry for him. Like an one hit wonder, he will always be the '2-year old boy who smokes' 2 or 20 years from now. Yes, but what happens when he grows up? And that's if he manages to live that long, that is.
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