8
The spokesman explained: "Manufacturers may continue to sell the cigarettes using the previous designation for a period of 12 months.
"If the determination made by the Government Chemist for any brand of cigarettes differs by not more than one mg from the previous one and has the effect of placing the cigarettes in a tar group other than that to which they would have belonged, the brand may continue to use its previous designation subject to the Director of Health's written approval."
He said the Government is currently reviewing the maximum permissible level of tar and nicotine contained in cigarettes so as to reduce smokers' exposure to these harmful substances.
"However, the best way to protect health and prevent smoking- related illnesses is to quit smoking or never to start it at all," he said.
End/Saturday, April 15, 1995
March weather report
March was dry in terms of rainfall. The monthly rainfall of 32.4 millimetres was 52 per cent below the March average.
This was according to a monthly weather report released by the Royal Observatory today (Saturday).
The total rainfall recorded in the first quarter of 1995 was 86.6 millimetres, 37 per cent below the normal of 138.3 millimetres for the same period. The month was also marginally cooler than normal with a mean air temperature of 17.9 degrees.
Under the influence of a moist easterly airstream, the first day of the month was cloudy and cool with rain. More rain fell the next day but skies cleared on March 3 as a dry northerly airflow reached the territory. Fine and dry weather continued the following day with strong winds persisting in the early morning. A pedestrian was hurt by a blown-down sign board at Lai Chi Kok.