Our restaurants, workplaces, hospitals and public transport are supposed to be smoke free from Jan 9. On that day, five years ago, China ratified the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Last year the government mouthed high-sounding words about clearing smoking from all indoor public places. But they look like being in vain. With the deadline three days away, the government still hasn't come up with a clear message for the ban.

Under the treaty, we are committed to prohibiting smoking from this year in all indoor public places and offices, as well as on trains and buses.