LETTER | It appears that we have forcefully done away with smoking at eateries nationwide. At least this is the perception being carved out through media reports to help make the action taken by the ministry of health look good.

But what really kills? Truly, are we improving life with this much publicised and pushed through smoking ban?

A philosophical introspection will tell you that indeed, we are deceiving ourselves.

The plastics industry continues to thrive despite the trumpeting of “No plastic bags on weekends” at supermarkets.

Can Malaysia shut down its plastic industry let alone tell the public that drinking teh tarik panas from plastic bags is unhealthy?

The problem of obesity kills despite asking government staff to take part in the politically publicised mass exercises.

Our sugar intake is on the rise despite campaign after campaign.

Our dependency on processed foods is irreversible given the drive and dependency on economic gains.

Prime forests are logged and the raped landscapes exposed naked to the elements of nature.

The replacement of pristine forests with oil palm cultivation is justified despite the massive pesticide usage. Are we being honest to say no to such economic activity?

Motoring habits are getting worse as can be seen from the growing road accidents.

The amount of trash we put out has run out of possible landfills. It is still anyone's guess of the success trash segregation but we do not see it.

But we are crying over passive smoking not knowing that the unseen vehicular fumes we suck in daily are also a serious slow killer.

So the smoking ban now is going to make Malaysians healthy all over again.

What a mockery. Even the media may not publish philosophical reflections about this mocking game plan called 'No Smoking at Eateries'.

Being politically correct is the preferred choice.

We have cheated ourselves with a blinkered micro view of healthy living while choosing to ignore the macro perspective of what healthy life could really be.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.