SINGAPORE: Cigarette pack warnings that remind smokers of the fatal consequences of their habit may actually make them smoke more as a way to cope with the inevitability of death, according to researchers.

A small study by psychologists from the United States, Switzerland and Germany showed that warnings  unrelated to death, such as "smoking makes you unattractive" or "smoking brings you and the people around you severe damage," were more effective in changing smokers' attitudes toward their habit.

THE government will enforce a minimum price for cigarettes on Jan 1.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Liow Tiong Lai said the Attorney-General's Office had agreed to the move and that a ruling on it had been be gazetted for enforcement beginning next year.

"The government has to fix a minimum price to make it difficult for adoloscents to buy cigarettes, Besides this, it is also aimed at preventing dumping of cheap cigarettes in the country when the Asean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) comes into force in January," he told reporters at Parliament;s lobby today.

BRITISH American Tobacco Malaysia has revised its cigarette prices following an announcement made by the government last week to increase 1 sen per stick in excise on cigarettes.

The new cigarette prices, which will be effective today, are as follows:-

1) Dunhill Fine Cut 20s range RM 10.00

2) Dunhill 20s range RM 9.30

3) Dunhill 14s range RM 6.90

4) Kent 20s range RM 9.30

5) Kent 14s range RM 6.90

6) Pall Mall Plain 20s RM 9.70

7) Pall Mall 20s range RM 7.80

8) Pall Mall 18s range RM 7.00

PORTSMOUTH goalkeeper David James admits his dream of playing in next year’s World Cup in South Africa would not have become a reality if he had continued smoking.

In an article published by The Observer on March 16, 2008, James wrote about having smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 15 years of his life.

"HERE we go again!" I hear people grumbling. "He is back to writing about smoking again. When will he ever stop?"

Well, what do you expect? I am a doctor, I preach a smoke-free life, and I am on a mission!

Have you seen the pictures on the cigarette packs? I know a picture speaks a thousand words. In response,