Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ12: Smoking in the vicinity of no smoking areas
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
(May 6):
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. At the meeting of
this Council on December 10, 2008, I raised a question on the above situation,
but it was not fully answered by the Government. 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 Government has adopted a progressive approach in implementing tobacco
control policy. Over the years, it has made multi-pronged efforts encompassing
publicity, education, legislation, enforcement, taxation as well as promotion of
smoking cessation to reduce the impact of passive smoking on the public and
further safeguard public health. Following the passage of the amendment to the
Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (the 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 fixed penalty system for smoking offences will
be implemented in due course, and the Administration has also planned to
designate public transport interchanges as statutory no-smoking areas.
We understand that after the expansion of no smoking areas, some smokers have
gathered around and smoked at certain spots on the streets that are close to no
smoking areas, such as places near the entrances/exits of office buildings and
malls, and have affected some of the non-smoking passers-by. We are now
evaluating the situation, as well as collecting relevant information and
conducting research on the matter. This includes gauging public opinion and
drawing reference from the experience and results of measures taken by other
countries and places in tackling the issue of smokers clustering and smoking in
the vicinity of no smoking areas. Meanwhile, we will continue to closely monitor
the implementation of the tobacco control policy as well as the community's
expectation and acceptance of our tobacco control measures. As in the past, the
Government will take into account the actual circumstances and public
expectations when considering the need to further expand the statutory no
smoking areas or adopt other tobacco control measures to safeguard public
health.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:56
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