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whether the Government has conducted periodic reviews on the situation regarding the enforcement of the legislation on prohibition of smoking in public places;
of the number of prosecutions regarding smoking offences in public places in the past year; and
how the Government can ensure that the anticipated effects of the legislation will be achieved?
Reply:
Mr President,
The Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance stipulates that no one should smoke in public transport carriers and certain designated no-smoking areas like cinemas, concert halls, amusement game centres and public lifts as listed in Schedule 3 to the Ordinance. Any person who smokes or carries a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe in a designated no-smoking area commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $5,000.
During the period from January to December 1994, we prosecuted 3,015 persons under the relevant provisions. Furthermore, separate enforcement action has been taken by transport operators and managers of designated no-smoking areas to ensure compliance with the law.
The Administration will review regularly the need to strengthen the existing anti-smoking measures in line with community aspirations and public attitude. However, this process of changing traditional culture and personal habits cannot be accomplished by punitive sanctions alone. I appeal to Honourable Members of this Council, the Council on Smoking and Health, our non-governmental organisations and the community as a whole to continue to support and participate in our mission to promote a smoke-free society through legislative provisions, publicity campaigns and educational programmes.
End/Wednesday, January 11, 1995