Man Quits Smoking After Cigarette Explodes in His Mouth

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

 News Core

An Indonesian tobacco company has agreed to pay the medical expenses of a man who lost six teeth when a cigarette mysteriously exploded in his mouth, AFP reported Tuesday.

Security guard Andi Susanto, 31, told Metro TV in an interview from his hospital bed that cigarette producer PT Nojorono Tobacco Indonesia had offered to pay for his treatment.

"The company's officials have talked to my family and we agreed to settle it amicably, as an out-of-court settlement. They will pay all the medical expenses," he said through bandaged lips.

The cause of the explosion remains unknown. Susanto said he wasn't chewing anything when he lit the Clas Mild cigarette and didn't notice anything strange about its odor, color or taste.

He said he would quit smoking after the incident. 

Indonesia is one of the most profitable tobacco markets in the world, and more than 60 per cent of Indonesian men smoke.