A Star article recently read:

"Aggrieved Malaysians stricken with smoking-induced health problems can sue the tobacco industry after the government ratifies the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control next year. Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng said the move was reflective of Malaysia's commitment to combat the menace and the tragedies caused by tobacco products. The cigarette packages would carry messages such as 'Cigarettes Are Heart Breakers', 'Cigarettes Hurt Babies' and 'Cigarettes Leave You Breathless' among others, which will be accompanied by matching pictures and illustrations."

My gripe is the proposed warning messages are way too soft - why not go for a straightforward hard-hitting messages like: 'Smoking Kills You', 'Smoking Can Make Your Babies Retarded', or 'Your Friends Don't Like You 'Cos You Stink'?

Or why not put pictures of cancer-ravaged organs on the packet, since a new European study has found that images of damaged hearts and lungs may be the most effective way to make people quit smoking? Or why not put pictures of badly-stained teeth, bleeding gums and gangrenous limbs since research after trials in Canada showed they drastically cut smoking.

In case you're not convinced, here are a few more facts for all you smokers out there:

Each cigarette shortens the life of the average smoker by seven minutes.

The risk of a young infant developing bronchitis or pneumonia in the first year of life is doubled if parents smoke.

In the US, where less and less people, especially in hip and happening cities/bars, are taking up smoking, that number is reversed everywhere else including Malaysia. Smokers here have taken the liberty of assuming that they can smoke anywhere and everywhere they want, like it's a God-given right.

They have absolutely no consideration or respect for non-smokers at all. They are also the worst litterbugs around and you certainly will not find a beach in Malaysia without thousands of cigarette butts littered all over. And some even claim to love nature but don't think twice about chucking their ciggie butts all over the place, what's worse is when you want to go out and enjoy nature (whether in a jungle or by a waterfall) and someone decides to light up!

These same people will tell you it is their choice to smoke. Well, fine but don't annoy other people who don't choose to smoke, and don't kill your kids slowly, just because you want a premature death. How could anyone with common sense and intelligence possibly smoke? I just don't get it.