Khalil did not comment directly on the large number of TV ads which promote the sale of cigarettes. Although such advertising is illegal, during prime time the ads run continuously, camouflaged as travel agency ads and a new one, Davidoff, promotes a brand of coffee.

An article in the business news, however, states that this is the launch of a new cigarette in Malaysia, as a result of a marketing agreement between a Malaysian company and a German firm. Sales are expected to grow by 8% a year, " despite increasing awareness of the health hazards of smoking."

There are to be two new committees set up to discuss the content of TV and radio programs. Feedback from the public is invited. Since cigarette advertising is clearly illegal, public feedback reveals the effort to censor advertising content is a failure.

The Minister for Health, Chua Jui Meng, has publicly opposed the sale of cigarettes. Speaking throughout the country, he reports a worrisome trend toward increased teenage smoking. His is a lonely voice.

The tobacco companies operate in Malaysia with total immunity. They enjoy the encouragement of the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Information Ministry, who are more interested in money than the deleterious health effects on people.

These are multi-national corporations well aware of the health risks associated with smoking. They are indifferent to what happens to their customers. They just don't care. And they refuse to take responsibitity. They will continue to escape liabilty so long as they can win law suits in all jurisdictions where they operate.

The next time the Information Minister appears in Parliment, perhaps he can explain the little tag indicating RTM approval which appears with each TV advertisement for Benson and Hedges, Salem, Mild Seven, Winston, Dunhill, and now Davidoff. The cigarette companies admit that the ads are their creations. The question arises why the government doesn't act, instead of just talk about the harms of globalisation and the multi-national corporations?

Future generations are at risk. Over 50 percent of male Malaysians now smoke, and the teenage figures are 35 percent. The numbers are increasing. Our children are being targeted, along with women. What must the public do to get a response to this clear violation of the law?