XN000022-1983-02-07 — Page 2

1

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1983

BAN ON SMOKING BEING EXTENDED

***

THE GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN TO DISCOURAGE CIGARETTE SMOKING WILL REACH ANOTHER STAGE ON FEBRUARY 15 WHEN THE BAN WILL BE EXTENDED TO MORE PUBLIC AREAS AND THE HEALTH WARNING WILL HAVE TO BE CARRIED IN MOST TYPES OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT FROM THAT DAY, SMOKING WILL BE PROHIBITED IN PUBLIC LIFTS, SINGLE DECKER ROAD PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXCEPT TAXIS AND HIRED CARS, AND THE LOWER DECKS OF DOUBLE DECKER BUSES AND TRAMS.

NO SMOKING AREAS WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE DESIGNATED IN NOT LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF EACH CLASS OF SEATING ACCOMMODATION IN FERRIES, TRAINS, CINEMAS, CONCERT HALLS AND THEATRES.

+MANAGEMENTS WHO FAIL TO SET ASIDE SUCH AREAS OR FAIL TO DISPLAY APPROPRIATE +NO SMOKING+ SIGNS MAY BE FINED $5 000. ANY PERSON WHO SMOKES OR CARRIES A LIGHTED CIGARETTE, CIGAR OR PIPE IN A NO SMOKING AREA MAY RECEIVE A $1 000 FINE AND A FURTHER FINE OF $3 000 IF HE FAILS TO PROVIDE CORRECT PERSONAL PARTICULARS TO THE MANAGEMENT ON DEMAND, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE SAID THAT SINCE NOVEMBER 15 LAST YEAR, IT HAS BEEN 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, MOST OTHER TYPES OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS, EXCEPT NEON SIGNS, WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRY THE HEALTH WARNING. ANYONE RESPONSIBLE FOR A CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENT WHICH DOES NOT CARRY THIS WARNING MAY BE FINED $5 000 IN ADDITION TO $500 FOR EACH DAY THE OFFENCE CONTINUES.

THE LANGUAGE, TYPEFACE, SIZE, SHAPE, COLOUR AND LOCATION OF

AND SPECIFICATIONS THE HEALTH WARNING IN CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS, FOR NO SMOKING SIGNS HAVE BEEN SPELT OUT IN DETAIL IN THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES) ORDER 1982 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON AUGUST 13, 1982.

DETAILS OF THE OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENCEMENTS DATES WERE ALSO PUBLISHED ON THE SAME DAY, WHILE THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED ON JULY 30, 1982.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT FROM MAY 15 THIS YEAR, THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING TO BE INCLUDED IN CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS WOULD BE EXTENDED TO NEON SIGNS.

FROM AUGUST 15, IT WILL BE MANDATORY FOR ALL CIGARETTE PACKETS AND RETAIL CONTAINERS ON SALE IN HONG KONG TO CARRY THE HEALTH WARNING AN TAR GROUP RATING. THOSE WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE FINED $5 000.

12