FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 1982
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COMMENCEMENT DATES FOR ANTI-SMOKING LAWS
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THE FIRST OF HONG KONG'S NEW ANTI-SMOKING LAWS, WHICH WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, WILL COME INTO EFFECT IN NOVEMBER.
COMMENCEMENT DATES FOR VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE RECENTLY
AMENDED LEGISLATION, AND DETAILS OF THE NEW STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS, ARE CONTAINED IN THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) REGULATIONS 1982, SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES) ORDER 1982 AND SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) ORDINANCE 1982 (COMMENCEMENT) NOTICE 1982, ALL OF WHICH ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
FROM NOVEMBER 15, IT WILL BE MANDATORY FOR ADVERTISEMENTS IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, AND OTHER PRINTED MATTERS PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN HONG KONG TO CARRY THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING AND THE TAR GROUP DESIGNATION OF THE CIGARETTES ADVERTISED.
FROM FEBRUARY 15, 1983, MOST OTHER TYPES OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS (NOT INCLUDING NEON SIGNS) WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRY THE HEALTH WARNING ONLY.
ANYONE RESPONSIBLE FOR A CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENT WHICH DOES NOT CARRY THE REQUIRED HEALTH WARNING WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 000 AND A FURTHER FINE OF $500 FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE CONTINUES.
ALSO FROM FEBRUARY 15, 1983, NO-SMOKING AREAS WILL HAVE TO BE DESIGNATED IN 50 PER CENT OF EACH CLASS OF SEATING IN FERRIES, TRAINS AND CINEMAS, CONCERT HALLS AND THEATRES. SMOKING WILL ALSO BE PROHIBITED IN PUBLIC LIFTS, SINGLE DECKER ROAD PUBLIC TRANSPORT (EXCEPT TAXIS AND HIRED VEHICLES) AND ON THE LOWER DECK OF DOUBLE DECKER BUSES AND TRAMS.
MANAGEMENTS WHO FAIL TO SET ASIDE NO-SMOKING AREAS OR TO DISPLAY THE APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 000. ANYONE WHO SMOKES IN A NO-SMOKING AREA WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $1 000 AND, IF HE FAILS TO PROVIDE CORRECT PERSONAL PARTICULARS TO THE MANAGEMENT ON DEMAND, TO A FURTHER FINE OF $3 000.
ON MAY 15, 1983, THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING TO BE INCLUDED IN CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO NEON SIGNS.
FROM AUGUST 15, 1983, IT WILL BE MANDATORY FOR ALL CIGARETTE PACKETS AND RETAIL CONTAINERS ON SALE IN HONG KONG TO CARRY THE HEALTH WARNING AND TAR GROUP RATING. ANY PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SALE OF CIGARETTES IN PACKAGING WHICH DOES NOT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 000.
/TEE TAR