In her heartbreaking photographic series entitled Marlboro Boys, Toronto-based photographer Michelle Siu documents underage smokers in Indonesia.
While smoking rates are decreasing in most parts of the world, Indonesia is instead seeing their smoking rates increase. Even more alarming is the fact that there are instances of children smoking their first cigarette at the age of four. Marlboro Boys is an incredibly compelling, horrifying series. The name is a play on the Marlboro Man ad campaign for Marlboro cigarettes, where the Marlboro Man was a rugged cowboy meant to sell cigarettes as a masculine vice. In Marlboro Boys, the masculine poses struck by these young Indonesian boys are undercut by their boyish faces.
With Marlboro Boys, Michelle Siu brings attention to the foothold the tobacco industry has in Indonesia, and the children who fuel its economy.
Boy Smoker Photographs
Marlboro Boys by Michelle Siu Documents Underage Smokers in Indonesia
Trend Themes
1. Increasing Smoking Rates in Indonesia - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing smoking cessation programs targeted specifically at Indonesian youth to combat the rising smoking rates.
2. Young Children Smoking in Indonesia - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implementing stricter regulations on tobacco sales and marketing to prevent underage smoking in Indonesia.
3. Photographic Documentation of Social Issues - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating more art projects that shed light on societal problems and bring awareness to important issues.
Industry Implications
1. Tobacco Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Investing in research and development of alternative products to traditional cigarettes to cater to changing consumer preferences.
2. Healthcare Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing innovative strategies to educate and provide resources for smoking cessation programs in Indonesia.
3. Art and Photography Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leveraging the power of photography and art to create impactful projects that address social issues and inspire change.