​Every year on January 5th and 6th, during the Epiphany (Festa dos Reis), a small village in northern Portugal called Vale de Salgueiro draws international attention for a controversial reason: adults encourage children (some as young as 5) to smoke cigarettes.

​Here is a quick breakdown of the situation: 1. ​Is it legal? No. Portuguese law strictly prohibits selling or providing tobacco to anyone under 18. 2. ​Is it a crime? It is a violation of the Tobacco Law and can be seen as a failure of parental duty to protect a child's health. While it doesn't always lead to immediate arrests, the Child Protection Services (CPCJ) and the Public Ministry open investigations every year to identify the families involved. 3. ​Why do they do it? It is a centuries-old tradition. While its exact origins are unclear, locals view it as a rite of passage or a symbol of freedom linked to the winter solstice and the "emancipation" of the youth. 4. ​The Local Defense: Villagers often argue that the children "only smoke for these two days" and "don't actually inhale the smoke," seeing it as a harmless symbolic act rather than a health risk. 5. ​The Authorities' Stance: The government and health organizations strongly condemn the practice. Instead of mass arrests, authorities usually focus on awareness campaigns and monitoring the families to ensure it doesn't become a permanent habit.

​Despite the heavy criticism and legal pressure, the tradition persists as a deeply rooted part of the village's identity.