Pel of Tompoun is nine years old. He looks confused when asked about his age, but he answers immediately that he smokes a half packet of cigarettes a day. Almost all hill tribe people smoke, beginning the habit at the age of three, according to government officials and villagers in Ratanakiri province. Although smoking causes harms, the hill tribe people do not understand and receive information about these dangers. Sok Ham, Director of Ratanakiri Culture Department, said it is difficult to prevent the hill tribe people from smoking because they live in the forest with cold weather and bugs.
Smoke helps keep away coldness and mosquitoes.
Smoking is compared to eating candy for Cambodian children, as shown by Pel s yellow-stained teeth. The pack costs the same as a can of rice. He smokes one by one as if he is showing off. When asked if he felt dizzy, he shook his head. Smoking is delicious, he said.