FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1982
ANTI-SMOKING BILL PUBLISHED
****
DETAILS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S NEWEST PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CIGARETTE SMOKING IN HONG KONG IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) BILL 1982 PROVIDES FOR RESTRICTIONS ON SMOKING IN PUBLIC AREAS, REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH WARNINGS AND TAR GROUP RATINGS IN CIGARETTE PACKAGING AND ADVERTISING AND FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF PENALTIES.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THE PACKAGE, TOGETHER WITH OTHER NON-LEGISLATIVE MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WAS AIMED AT PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF BOTH SMOKERS AND NON-SMOKERS.
THE BILL SEEKS TO PROHIBIT SMOKING:
*
*
*
*
IN NOT LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF EACH CLASS OF SEATING IN CINEMAS, CONCERT HALLS AND THEATRES; IN NOT LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF EACH CLASS OF SEATING ON FERRIES OPERATING IN HONG KONG ; IN PUBLIC LIFTS;
IN ALL SINGLE DECKER ROAD PUBLIC TRANSPORT, EXCEPT TAXIS AND HIRED VEHICLES;
* ON THE LOWER DECK OF DOUBLE DECKER BUSES AND
TRAMS; AND
* IN NOT LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF EACH CLASS OF
SEATS IN THE CARRIAGES OF ANY TRAIN.
THE MANAGEMENT OR AUTHORISED STAFF OF THESE FACILITIES WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO ASK FOR THE NAME, ADDRESS AND PROOF OF IDENTITY OF AN OFFENDER WHO REFUSES TO STOP SMOKING IN A NO-SMOK ING AREA. THE OFFENDER WOULD NOT BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND OF ANY ADMISSION CHARGE OR FARE PAID IF HE IS REQUIRED TO LEAVE.
ANY PERSON WHO SMOKES IN A NO-SMOKING AREA WOULD BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF UP TO $1 000. FAILURE TO PROVIDE CORRECT PERSONAL PARTICULARS WHEN REQUIRED WOULD CARRY A FINE OF $3 000.
A MANAGER WHO FAILS TO SET ASIDE A NO-SMOKING AREA IN DESIGNATED PLACES OR TO DISPLAY THE APPROPRIATE SIGNS WOULD BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 000.
THE BILL MAKES IT MANDATORY FOR ALL CIGARETTE PACKETS AND RETAIL CONTAINERS ON SALE IN HONG KONG TO CARRY A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH AS WELL AS THE APPROPRIATE TAR GROUP DESIGNATION.
MR BARNES SAID A SMOKING MACHINE ORDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT HAD JUST ARRIVED. THE AMOUNT OF TAR AND NICOTINE IN EACH BRAND PRODUCT OF CIGARETTE WOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST, AND THE TEST RESULTS WOULD BE PUBLISHED TWICE A YEAR IN THE CONSUMER COUNCIL MAGAZINE +CHOICE AND IN THE PRESS. THE FIRST RESULTS WERE EXPECTED TO APPEAR IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
/ANY PERSON