Inspired by KGF’s 'Rocky Bhai', 15-yr-old boy smokes cigarettes, falls severely sick to land at Century hospital
- After smoking a pack of cigarettes for the first time, teenager developed severe cough and throat ache complications needing medical attention
A resident of Rajendranagar in Hyderabad, this 15-yr-old boy (name withheld to protect child’s identity), was rushed to Century Hospital when their parents learnt he smoked a packet of cigarettes after watching KGF2 movie for three times in just two days. The boy watched the movie in the second week of its release in theaters; and was inspired by ‘style’ of the lead character ‘Rocky Bhai’ and wanted to ape him by smoking for the first time, only to fall severely sick in the process.
Commenting on the case, Dr. Rohith Reddy Pathuri, Consultant Pulmonologist, Century Hospital said, “Teenagers do get easily influenced by characters like ‘Rocky Bhai’. In this case, this young boy took to smoking and fell severely sick after consuming a packet full of cigarettes. Movies are a highly influencing element of our society, and it is important movie makers and actors have a moral responsibility to not glamorize acts like smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco or consuming alcohol. Characters like ‘Rocky Bhai’ have a cult following and young minds do get influenced by the acts of these demigods on the screen.”
“Parents of adolescents must ensure they keep a watch on what their children are doing, and what factors are influencing their child’s acts. Instead of regretting later, it is important parents play a role in creating awareness about the ill-effects of acts like smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol. Beating up children post the act, like in this case, might not always produce the best result,” added Dr. Rohith Reddy.
Cigarette smoking during childhood and adolescence causes significant health problems among young people, including an increase in the number and severity of respiratory illnesses, decreased physical fitness and potential effects on lung growth and function. Most importantly, this is when an addiction to smoking takes hold, often lasting into and sometimes throughout adulthood. Among adults who have ever smoked daily, 87% had tried their first cigarette by the time they were 18 years of age, and 95% had by age 21.