Exploding Cigarette Earns Hurt Indonesian Rp 5 million

The company that manufactured a cigarette that allegedly exploded in the mouth of a security guard has paid compensation equal to less than Rp 1 million for each of the teeth the man lost.
Andi Susanto, 31, was riding his motorcycle along Jl. Teuku Umar in Cibitung, Bekasi, last Thursday, and smoking a Bentoel Clas Mild — marketed as the ultimate experience of satisfaction and smoothness — exploded in his mouth with devastating consequences. 
The mysterious explosion blew five teeth from his mouth and required numerous stitches. 
His helmet was also found to have cracked. 
Widia, Andi’s sister, confirmed that Bentoel had paid Rp 5 million ($535) in compensation — a figure that would have equated to Rp 1 million per tooth had it not been for the fact that another two teeth were extracted on Monday.
“The cigarette company has provided us with compensation. We have accepted their goodwill to help us,” Widia said.
She said the company had agreed to pay all of Andi’s immediate medical expenses at the Bekasi General Hospital and would also fund the ongoing rehabilitation treatment — presumably to include a new set of teeth. 
“We have settled all the outstanding matters with the cigarette company,” she said, adding that Andi’s condition was steadily improving.
“The doctor says that he can go home, but we have to wait until his condition is much better,” she said. 
Bekasi Police investigators are waiting on the results of laboratory tests, which are expected today, to help shed light on what they admit is a highly unusual case.
Bekasi Police Chief Herry Wibowo said on Sunday that the laboratory would test the remaining fragments of the cigarette as well as Andi’s jacket and helmet. 
Herry said investigators were looking for traces of explosives, including potassium.
He said there were no plans to recall Clas Mild cigarettes. 
Iwan Sulistyo, the marketing chief of the Clas Mild brand, said the company could offer no explanation for what had happened to Andi. 
Iwan confirmed, however, that the company had agreed to provide compensation and would also ensure that Andi’s medical bills were paid in full.
“We are communicating with the police and still waiting on the forensic laboratory tests,” Iwan said. “We do not put any strange materials in the cigarettes so we think that this is a weird case. This is the first time for us.”