Cabaran Muharam (cabaran means challenge in Malay; Muharam is the Muslim new year) is an annual event now in its fourth year.

Smokers who sign up for the challenge will be provided with free workshops to teach them strategies on quitting.

Participants are monitored for a month - from yesterday till Feb17 - and surprise 'smokerlyser' tests will be sprung on them.

Those who stay smoke-free during the competition could win a trip, shopping vouchers or electrical appliances.

The campaign is targeted at the Malay community because 18.6 per cent of Malays aged 18 to 69 smoke - the highest compared to other ethnic groups. The national average is 12.6 per cent.

This year's media campaign for HPB's anti-smoking drive, starting this week, takes on a new twist in its approach.

Its poster boy is smoker Mohammad Abdooh Mohamed Ali, who died two years ago. He had picked up smoking at age 12 and was diagnosed with cancer at 45.

He died a year later in 2006, leaving behind his wife Elly Sukmawarni.

The HPB hopes to use his story to increase the perceived self-vulnerability among smokers and encourage them to quit smoking.

MARIA ALMENOAR