Indonesia's smoking toddler kicks the habit

[September 03, 2010]  JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Indonesia's smoking toddler has kicked the habit.

Footage of 2-year-old Aldi Rizal -- who smoked up to two packs a day -- puffing away circulated the Internet in May and sparked an international outcry. His parents said he'd throw tantrums every time they tried to stop him from lighting up.

Psychologist Seto Mulyadi, who took the child into his own home as part of rehabilitation efforts, said Friday the boy has stopped asking for cigarettes.

He said Aldi picked up the habit because virtually every man in his fishing village in South Sumatra province smokes.

When removed from that environment, and offered a wide range of activities, including playing and drawing, he no longer had the urge, the psychologist said.

Aldi's father gave him his first cigarette when he was just 18 months old, relatives have said.

[Associated Press]

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