Prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes. Finally, the government is banning advertising of tobacco products and sponsorship by these companies for all types of activities by mid-next year.

It is learnt that once amendment of the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 1993 under the Food Act 1983 is made, the ban will be enforced.

I, for one, find it extremely difficult to kick off the smoking habit. Being heavily cigarette-dependent, (two to three packets a day) I have for long realised the damage it can cause to my health.

However, my concern is more on today's young generation who smoke to be with the 'in' crowd. Like it or not, it's easy to spot secondary and college students smoking. More worrying is when more girls are taking up the habit because they think it helps prevent obesity.

The government's move, though belated, is no doubt a positive step towards saving the future young. The existing ban on children below 18 from buying cigarettes has certainly made life difficult for them.

However, awareness among retailers is still lacking. Perhaps, it is not so bad an idea for the authorities to intensify this awareness by advertising in all local media. After all, according to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the government spends about RM4.8 billion a year in treating smokers inflicted with smoke-related diseases — RM1.8 billion short of what tobacco companies earned.

The ban on smoking in public places made life difficult for me but it was one of the most effective steps in curbing my habit so far.