Article 1

I can remember the day I read an article in the Borneo Bulletin about plans to enact a 2008 Tobacco Order that would come into full force on February 1 the same year.

After reading about the law, I was proud to call myself a Bruneian as authorities were actively in pursuit of implementing a lifestyle that espoused the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and being considerate of others.

But more importantly, this would enable me to have a cup of freshly brewed coffee while engaging in quality conversation with good friends, and not have to worry about the incessant smoke tearing up my eyes, drying out my throat, aggravating every pore on my face and leaving a residual acrid aroma - which as all smokers well and fully know - is a stink that will stick with you all day!

What was worse was watching patrons - mainly families who wanted to sit outdoors - looking disappointed when they have no choice but to be seated at a table besides smokers.

And seeing as how I am one of the few people in my immediate circle of close friends who have succeeded in kicking the habit, I too no longer have to worry about my buddies contributing to me developing cancer while at a café.

Now look, I really can understand how some people must be frustrated with aspects of the 2008 Tobacco Order.

I've spent 11 years of my life as a smoker with a consumption rate of roughly one pack every two days for the first six years; a slight reduction to a pack per three days for the remainder, where I spent the last three years preparing myself to quit by taking three-to-four month breaks twice a year.

After discussing this topic with close friends, who have spent slightly more than half their lives as smokers, everyone was in complete agreement that 'your home is your castle', if you want to smoke incessantly, do it as the king at your own home.

Everyone agreed that for the sake of providing patrons to eateries and cafes nationwide - whether they be locals or foreigners, businesspeople or tourists - with a clean, hygienic and safe environment.

To be honest, when I first read about the 2008 Tobacco Order, I honestly did laugh out loud.

"This will never last," I thought to myself.

And for a while, it seemed to be an accurate prediction, as the Order seemed to experience delays in implementation and not many people had faith in the authorities' seriousness in carrying it out.

Fast forward to today, and contrary to popular belief, I am quite happy to have been proven wrong in this case as I have come to learn that the relevant authorities really do have all our best interests in heart.

Now, I have made it clear that I now have faith in the capabilities of the government, in particular the Ministry of Health.

Among the steps taken are affixing official health warning labels on all cigarette packagings; raising the price of cigarettes; and, raising awareness on the negative side effects associated with short- and long-term tobacco use.

But as a former smoker, it is only fair that I take a moment to share my thoughts on the government's decision to raise the fee to get a business licence allowing shops (mainly 'Kedai Runcits') to sell cigarettes.

Supplies of cigarettes do not last long and frustrate many puffers. And as such, many have turned to cigarette smuggling.

While the authorities are at the top of their game in busting contraband cigarettes from being smuggled into the country, I wish there was an alternative to preventing the transgression from occurring in the first place.

My advice to the Ministry of Health is to remember that currently, the number of smokers that make up Brunei's populace is large, so the authorities must walk a tightrope in seeking improved quality of health while respecting a Bruneian smoker's right to smoke if he or she chooses so.

My advice to smokers: (1) Respect the considerations of non-smokers; and, (2) Respect the aspirations of the Brunei Government.

Should the day come when you too wish to kick the habit, just remember and trust me when I say if I can do it, ANYBODY can!

The views expressed in these articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Borneo Bulletin.

Article 2

National smoking ban: Too many restrictions, absence of choice
by Khal

After a recent run-in with a couple of transit passengers at the Brunei International Airport, I felt compelled to give a little insight about what seems to be an issue to everyone about our country - the no smoking policy.

Since the airport had "permanently" closed its smoking room, and left passengers deprived of a habit that isn't exactly easy to get rid of, I got quite an interesting point of view from foreigners looking for a place to smoke, who bluntly said that the closure was not right.

Somehow, what they said became food for thought and the discussion spiralled into one that of substance - the national smoking ban.

Everyone knows that the Tobacco Order 2005 had been enforced since 2008 in Brunei Darussalam, and from the looks of things, there is more coming.

Let's take a look at how things have been since 2008: There is no smoking allowed in work and public places, prices of cigarettes doubled and those caught in the act will face fines.

After shedding some foreign light on this, I came to one conclusion - the absence of choice. What options did the Order give the public? You can smoke but only at home and/or in your car, considering all public spaces are non-smoking zones.

Given the number of smokers that exist in this country (or anywhere else for that matter), and given the obvious fact that most smokers are adults who have work and do not spend much time at home, the Order seems a little too difficult to obey.

It is endearing, really, that the government wants the public to live a healthy lifestyle. I applaud that, I truly do. But is it working? Not because there's not enough restrictions, but because there are too many.

I have come to understand that when there are a lot of parties involved, there needs to be some kind of agreement - a compromise of some sort. Completely depriving one party of something can only cause more harm than good.

Let's take the "no smoking in restaurants" scenario as an example. Before the Order came, there were zones where people could smoke freely, and there were zones that completely disallowed it. And that worked pretty well, those who do not smoke do not necessarily have to endure the company of smokers if they opted not to. And then the Order came, suddenly everywhere was a non-smoking zone, and unfortunately, people still smoke wherever they want (outdoors) anyway, because when there's nowhere else you can smoke, you might as well just smoke anywhere. It's human nature, when you're that restricted, you find a way.

Also, just recently I have come to acknowledge that most shops stopped selling cigarettes, and eventually every shop will stop selling them.

Even from a non-smoker's point of view, it sounds a little extreme.

It is not the fact that Brunei will be free from cigarettes that's mind-boggling, it is the idea of the public's despair that can easily drive them into criminal activities, over something so very petty (ie smoking).

Again, people will find ways: As we all have seen/read in the news, people have resorted to contraband cigarettes and these contrabands are crossing the border and selling like hotcakes. The national crime rate will rise and as good as the intention is behind these extreme measures, we don't really want that to happen, do we? Because that is far from good.

I find it very respectable that these actions are being taken in the hope of making Brunei a better/healthier country, but smoking is a habit, an appalling one at that, and so realistically speaking, you can't stop people from this habit any more than you can stop people who are prone to other health issues, like those suffering from cholesterol problems, or diabetes, from their daily doses of fast food or Teh Tariks.

Suffice to say, before the relevant authorities take the Tobacco Order to the next level, maybe consider these two things: (1) The nightmare of more contraband cigarettes; and, (2) The balance between smokers and non-smokers that existed before the Order came.

I would say that a perfect example of a country with smoking restrictions is Singapore. It's restricted, sure, but there is balance and compromise, and that's exactly what we need here. Because let's face it, a smoking-free country is an ambition so high, it is almost impossible to achieve without any collateral damage.

The views expressed in these articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Borneo Bulletin.