Indonesian toddler, Aldi Suganda made international headlines this year, after cameras in his quiet fishing village of Musi Bbanyuasin caught the two year old happily indulging in his chain-smoking addiction. The video went viral shortly after appearing on You Tube, and sparked outrage after viewers learned that the tot already had a two-pack a day habit!
Watch the original video below:
Aldi’s parents turned to the media for help – revealing that the child would throw violent temper tantrums if they refused to satisfy his addiction. And help is what they got.
Accompanied by his mother, the smoking toddler left his village in July to undergo treatment. After receiving “intensive specialist care” in Indonesia’s capital, Aldi is now smoke-free.
“He has quit smoking and the most important thing is that he doesn’t ask for cigarettes anymore,” national commission for child protection secretary-general Arist Merdeka Sirait, told AFP.
His addiction was reportedly overcome by encouraging the boy to play with other children his age. Therapists also kept Aldi busy with activities.
Aldi’s parents have said they were previously unaware of the dangers of smoking, using the cigarettes to keep their child happy as they worked long hours at a street market.
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