XN000022-1992-01-29 — Page 12

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1992

"THE MAIN REASON FOR THE VACANCY IS THAT MANY PROSPECTIVE TENANTS ARE RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT ACCOMMODATION WITHOUT SELF-CONTAINED FACILITIES AND THEY ALSO HAVE THEIR LOCATIONAL PREFERANCE.

"THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS RECENTLY APPROVED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO ADDRESS THE OVERALL SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF SMALL FLATS ON A DISTRICT BASIS, THUS THERE WILL BE NO NEED FOR ANY FURTHER CONVERSIONS BEYOND WHAT IS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT PROGRAMME,' MR LEUNG SAID.

SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PASSED

THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH SEEKS TO INTRODUCE FURTHER MEASURES TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING, WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH

WONG, SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED A PROGRESSIVE AND PRAGMATIC APPROACH AND REALISTIC AND A REASONABLE ATTITUDE IN IMPLEMENTING ITS LONG DECLARED POLICY TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING.

A

"WE TRY TO STRIKE A HEALTHY BALANCE. OUR INITIATIVES ARE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE LIGHT OF THE ATTITUDE IN OUR COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.

THE SECRETARY REAFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT ON ANTI-SMOKING. "WE MUST TACKLE THE PROBLEM AT ITS ROOT, NOT SIMPLY TRIM THE BRANCHES," SHE SAID.

SHE SAID EDUCATION

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BOTH FORMAL THROUGH SCHOOLS AND INFORMAL THROUGH FRIENDS WAS AN IMPORTANT CO-FACTOR IN DISCOURAGING SMOKING, PARTICULARLY AMONGST PEOPLE.

MRS WONG NOTED THAT THE AD HOC GROUP TO REVIEW THE BILL WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THE SALE OF CIGARETTES TO ANYONE BELOW 18 SHOULD BE BANNED. ASSOCIATED WITH THIS, ANY OFFER OR GIFT OF CIGARETTES TO THEM FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADVERTISING SHOULD ALSO BE BANNED.

SHE SAID A BAN ON THE SALE OF CIGARETTES TO THOSE UNDER 18 MAY WELL GIVE THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO SOME AS TO GOVERNMENT'S EARNEST IN DISCOURAGING SMOKING PARTICULARLY AMONGST THE YOUNG.

"HOWEVER, TO OTHERS, AN UNENFORCEABLE BAN MIGHT SEND QUITE THE OPPOSITE MESSAGE. WE MUST THEREFORE CONSULT CAREFULLY, PARTICULARLY ON THE ASPECT OF ENFORCEMENT, SHE SAID.

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MRS WONG UNDERTOOK TO EXAMINE SUGGESTIONS ON WHETHER ADVERTISING IN THE PRINT MEDIA SHOULD BE PROHIBITED AND RESTAURANTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY A SIGN TO SAY THEY A NON-SMOKING AREA OR NOT.

TOBACCO WHETHER

PROVIDE

/"I WILL