It has been a few times already that I have walked back to my office after finishing my lunch at the cafeteria at the Putrajaya's spanking new court of law - the Palace of Justice - fuming with anger.

Today was not any different from any other day. It's not that the food is nasty or deplorable; it's the unbearable effort of having to breathe in an ambiance filled with cigarette smoke.

The first time, I made it a point to reason it out and keep my angst to myself. Then came the second, the third and the fourth time after which I told myself, 'I'm not going to take this anymore'.

So I gathered up the courage to go up the table where this young chap (probably a government servant working on the premises) was half way through satisfying his craving for the deadly poison. I said to him, "Saya mintak maaf, mungkin encik tak nampak sign tak boleh merokok".

He did not reply but instead gave me that look - I think you all know that look. The look that says, 'Bloody hell man, it's my god given right to smoke anywhere, anytime I want to and there's nothing you can do about it'.

Nevertheless, I continued, 'Boleh tak respect sikit orang lain yang tak merokok', before going to a table just across from this smoking chap (so I can just watch him kill himself) and sitting down to have my lunch.

Then, at another table close by, almost like an infectious disease, another round of cigarettes was lighted up! Not giving up, I said to them whilst pointing to the 'No Smoking' stuck to the wall just above their thick heads, 'Tak boleh hisap rokok, encik'.

Instead of stopping, they just hid their cigarettes underneath the table and continued to puff away. At this point of time, I was furious. I went straight to the cafeteria worker behind the counter and complained.

All he said was, 'Tak boleh nak buat apa-apa encik, kami lekat no smoking sign pun, mereka tanggal'.

I don't understand.

Firstly, this is the cafeteria of the Palace of Justice, the seat of the nation's law administration. If the name does not signify the upholding of the law, then can somebody in the Federal Court enlighten me as to how the system works?

Why are people still smoking in these areas with a blatant disregard for the law more so on the premises of a court of law itself?

Clean air is a basic right for everyone. We non-smokers must insist on our right to not inhale second-hand smoke by telling inconsiderate smokers off. At least this way, God willing, we will live healthier and longer so that we can take care of our children (and other children's orphaned by the smoking-related premature deaths of their selfish parent/s).

Thirdly, since the court's cafeteria was a no-smoking zone, no ashtrays were provided. You all must have noticed what they usually do. Ashes are scattered all over the floor, butts in the eye of the fried fish's head or in the half-empty glass of air kosong or even teh tarik they just had.

Talk about attitude. Just writing this gives me a slight indigestion.

Fourthly, who is supposed to enforce the 'no smoking' rules and regulations? Under the Control of Tobacco, Product Regulations 2004, published in the Government Gazette on Sept 23, 2004, Putrajaya's Palace of Justice falls under the list of places where smoking is prohibited.

Why is this not being enforced? Strangely, I have heard from some patrons that there were incidences where the enforcement officers from the local authority, all in their green uniforms, happily joined in the cigarette lighting up ceremonies.

I guess, therefore, enforcement is non-existent. It is all up to the administrator of that government premises. Can you kindly get off your comfy seat and do something about it?

I know it is indeed hard for smokers to stop smoking. I was a smoker for 15 years myself. I've tasted the calming effects of nicotine and the pop culture associated with the coolness of having a cigarette in between my lips.

The best decision I've ever made in my life is the decision to stop smoking. And having done that, I am now averse cigarette smoke not to mention the accompanying smell. It is really annoying and extremely irritating to non-smokers.

I have only this to say to all the inconsiderate smokers out there - you're welcome to kill yourselves but don't take the rest of us along with you, okay?