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Like most countries, Malaysia has had text warnings on its cigarette packs for years. But it had not introduced discouraging photos until recently. But as of yesterday, all cigarettes sold in the country must bear pictures.

The photos across the world are nasty. They are a little upsetting but they are not, generally puke inducing.

Malaysia's are stunningly, sickeningly horrible.

The throat cancer picture (above) is especially horrible. Reduced, it is unpleasant. On the pack, you really don't want to look at it.

When the photos were introduced several weeks ago, cigarette packets began disappearing from view. They were stuffed back into pockets or handbags. The fug in KL's bars and restaurants, where locals think nothing of lighting up in the middle of a meal, has not diminished.A ban on smoking in a wide range of places is, simply, not enforced by owners or authorities.

Smart cigarette cases are beginning to make an appearance on the tables. And cigarettes are being disguised by being slotted into flip-top tins that originally carried chocolates and are, conveniently, exactly the correct size for eight standard-size ciggies.

So far, the photos are not doing their job, it appears.

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