Smileband health topics

Epiphany celebrations were in full swing around the world as people came out in their droves to mark the Christian festival. There were events held to mark the day all over the globe, with traditional celebrations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The most striking tradition was in the village of Vale de Salgueiro in Portugal, which allows children as young as five to smoke cigarettes during Epiphany celebrations. Children, like those pictured, smoke cigarettes in the village in northern Portugal, during the traditional celebration.

The village's Epiphany event, called Kings' Feast, feature the tradition which causes an outcry and draws strong criticism from outsiders. 

However, locals say that practice is a centuries-old tradition, although nobody is sure what it symbolises or why parents buy the packs of cigarettes for their children and encourage them to take part.

The annual 'king' is responsible for organizing the village's Epiphany celebrations, with this year's King a man called Alexandre Taveira. The legal age to purchase tobacco in Portugal is 18, but nothing prohibits parents from giving children cigarettes, and Portuguese authorities do not intervene to stop the practice.

Guilhermina Mateus, a 35-year-old coffee shop owner, cites custom as the reason why she gives her daughter cigarettes.

Ms Mateus said: 'I don't see any harm in that because they don't really smoke, they inhale and immediately exhale.'

Locals, both adults and children, can be seen smoking and dancing during celebrations in the village.