tokens: Prohibit public smoking? The awareness on harmful effects from smoking among the general public has put much pressure on the government and private sectors . As a result, some businesses prohibit smoking in their premises and even some governments restrict smoking in public area . It is agreed that the move will do more good by looking at the quality of health and image of a nation in long run . Firstly, it is well known and clinically proven that smoking is extremely hazardous to the smoker and others who have been exposed to the fume over a period of time . Recent death statistic released by the Malaysian Ministry of Health shows that the top killer was lung related diseases caused by smoking . A large proportion of death involved second hand smoker particularly young children and pregnant women who were vulnerable to these lethal diseases . Therefore, the number of fatality can be significantly reduced if a total ban on public smoking is implemented . Secondly, the image of a healthy nation can be promoted when government restricts public smoking by imposing stern penalty to the offender . For instance, the Brunei government had recently enforced a law against smoking in public areas such as cafés, hospital and shopping street . This step has curbed down the numbers of smokers in the country and as a result, Brunei remains a place known for its tranquility and cleanliness . This example shows the benefit of restricting public smoking to a country as a whole . To sum up, the effort to prohibit people from smoking in public area is certainly helping in curtailing the associated health risks and to create a healthy nation . It is hoped that more businesses and governments will follow the same initiatives for the interest of the people and the country .