Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ7: Tobacco control measures on youth

Following is a question by the Hon Leung Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (December 3):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council of:

(a) the number of inspections conducted and the number of prosecutions instituted since January this year by the authorities to enforce the provision against the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18; and

(b) the current number of government personnel responsible for enforcing the above provisions?

Reply:

President,

The Administration has been taking a multi-pronged approach to minimise the harmful effects of tobacco on youths. Measures adopted include publicity and education; provision of smoking cessation services; the imposition of tobacco duty; and the enactment of legislations to expand the statutory no smoking areas. The enforcement of the legislative provisions that prohibit the sale of cigarettes to persons under the age of 18 is part of the Government's tobacco control efforts aimed at young people.

With regard to youth education and publicity, the Tobacco Control Office (TCO) under the Department of Health has produced tailor-made guidelines and display boards for the implementation of tobacco control measures at schools as well as promotional leaflets targeting at youths. The Government also provides annual funding to non-government organisations such as the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) to organise anti-smoking activities for children and adolescents.

COSH has been conducting "Health Talk" and "Education Theatre" as its main activities of tobacco control education programme for adolescents. Students are taught the hazards of smoking and how to resist the temptation of smoking, as well as how to support a smoke-free environment. COSH organised, from time to time, large scale territory-wide education promotional programmes to spread the message of a smoke-free environment, and to educate children on how to protect themselves from the harmful effects of passive smoking. To name but a few, such programmes include the "Smoke Free Hong Kong Starts with Teens" from 2005 to 2006, the "Smoke-free Environments - Create & Enjoy!" Photo Collection Campaign in 2007 and the "Smoke-free Family" Campaign in 2008. Children and adolescents are the major targets of all these programmes aim at encouraging them to support a smoke-free environment and living style.

Regarding the prevention of young people from buying tobacco products, Tobacco Control Inspectors (TCI) of the TCO have, since October 27, 2006, been conferred the power to take law enforcement action for offences under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (except Part III), including Section 15A(1), i.e. no person shall sell any cigarette, cigarette tobacco, cigar or pipe tobacco to any person under the age of 18 years. Any person who contravenes this provision commits an offence and is liable on a summary conviction to a fine at level four (i.e. $25,000).

Between January and October 2008, TCIs conducted a total of 1,200 inspections on retail outlets. In addition, TCO received a total of 33 complaints about illegal sale of tobacco products to persons aged under 18, and conducted 63 investigations, prosecuting six tobacco retailers by way of summons for sale of tobacco products to persons aged under 18. All cases were convicted and the fine ranged from $500 to $1,500.

The TCO has an establishment of 85 TCIs in 2008-09. Apart from enforcing the statutory prohibition against the sale of tobacco products to persons aged under 18, they also carry out law enforcement duties under other provisions of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance.

What is worth mentioning is that the Thematic Household Survey, conducted by the Census and Statistics Department between December 2007 and March 2008, revealed that the percentage of smokers in the 15-19 age group in Hong Kong has dropped from 3.5% in 2005 to 2.4% recently. This shows that the multi-pronged approach on tobacco control adopted has been largely effective.

But we will not relax our efforts. We strongly believe that parallel and continuous efforts in education and law enforcement are essential to preventing our young people from smoking. The Administration will continue to devote resources to promoting a smoke-free culture and enhance relevant measures, with a view to raising awareness among the young of the harmful effects of smoking and preventing them from picking up the habit of smoking.


Ends/Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:48

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