I refer to the report Malaysia aims to ratify pact on control of tobacco .

Syabas! However, the government must be aware that even if it is to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in December, permitting the hosting of the tobacco expo in November will not reflect well on its intention at all.

Allowing the tobacco expo to proceed is going to blemish Malaysia's effort in tobacco control on the eve of a monumental achievement - the FCTC ratification.

We have to bear in mind that the expo intends to provide marketing opportunities for the sale of tobacco products to increase in this region and this is not a welcoming news at all.

If Malaysia can react to the carcinogenic dye Sudan Red I in food products so fast and efficiently, why can't it be equally efficient in barring the blatant hosting of a tobacco exposition right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur itself?

On the issue of implementing the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 2004 gazetted on Sept 23 last year, I saw cigarette posters at one mini-market being removed about a week ago only to have them replaced with news ones!

This is simply outrageous as all tobacco advertisements are supposed to have been removed by end the end of last month.

The writer is attached to the Clearinghouse for Tobacco Control, National Poisons Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia.