Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ18: Tobacco control

Following is a question by the Hon Lau Wong-fat and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (December 10):

Question:

Since the implementation of a total ban on smoking in workplaces and shopping malls, quite a number of smokers have moved to places near the entrances/exits of office buildings and malls to smoke. As a result, people entering or leaving such buildings have to pass through a virtual smoking area. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) it has assessed the impact of the above situation on passers-by; and

(b) it will review the existing smoking ban with a view to finding a solution to this problem?

Reply:

President,

The HKSAR Government has been taking a multi-pronged approach, i.e. through a combination of legislation, taxation, publicity, education, enforcement as well as smoking cessation services, to contain the proliferation of tobacco use and minimise the impact of passive smoking on public health.

After the passage of the Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance by the Legislative Council in 2006, the statutory no-smoking areas have been expanded significantly to include all indoor public places and workplaces as well as many outdoor sitting-out areas since January 1, 2007. The Government's purpose of designating no-smoking areas is to minimise the effects of second-hand smoke on the public. The public has been enjoying more smoke-free areas and a much healthier environment since the expansion of statutory no-smoking areas. The Thematic Household Survey (THS) conducted by the Census and Statistics Department during December 2007 to March 2008 revealed that 57% of the public found that they had less exposure to second-hand smoke in public places. According to the THS, the percentage of daily smokers in the Hong Kong population aged 15 or above decreased from 14.1% in 2005 to 11.8% in 2008. These figures show that the Administration's tobacco control measures are generally effective.

We shall build on this solid foundation and continue with our tobacco control efforts. Our priority at present is to implement the smoking ban in statutory no-smoking areas, implement the fixed penalty system in 2009 as planned, and encourage and assist smokers to quit smoking through publicity, education and promotion of smoking cessation services. At the same time, the Administration plans to expand the no-smoking areas in a gradual and orderly manner. After the implementation of the fixed penalty system, we will proceed to designate public transport interchanges as statutory no-smoking areas. Starting from July 1 next year, the Administration will also implement the smoking ban in the establishments temporarily exempted from the smoking ban according to the statutory provisions. With these steps, we believe that the exposure of the public to second-hand smoke will be further reduced.



Ends/Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:21

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