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MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1992

CONSULTATION ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS DUE TO END * * * * *

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED TO SEND IN THEIR VIEWS ON THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS TO FURTHER RESTRICT THE USE, SALE AND PROMOTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.

A CONSULTATION PAPER CONTAINING FURTHER PROPOSALS ON ANTI- SMOKING MEASURES WAS PUBLISHED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR TO GAUGE PUBLIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS FUTURE POLICY DIRECTION.

THE PROPOSALS INCLUDE BANNING THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MINORS, THE PROHIBITION OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING IN PRINTED PUBLICATIONS AND FOR DISPLAY ON BILLBOARDS AND SIGNS, AS WELL AS THE PROHIBITION IN CERTAIN MEDIA ANY ADVERTISEMENT THAT WOULD RECALL A TOBACCO BRAND NAME.

THE CONSULTATION PAPER HAD BEEN DISCUSSED BY SIX DISTRICT BOARDS OR THEIR COMMITTEES.

"SO FAR. WE HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT 100 SUBMISSIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, MEDICAL BODIES, ADVERTISING COMPANIES AND VARIOUS OTHER ORGANISATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

OF THE VIEWS RECEIVED, MOST HAD ENDORSED IN PRINCIPLE THE GOVERNMENT'S GOAL TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING,

"WE LOOK FORWARD то RECEIVING MORE SUBMISSIONS AS THE CONSULTATION IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE," HE SAID.

COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES, PUBLIC HOSPITALS, CLINICS, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES AND THE OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH AT 266 QUEEN'S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI,

VIEWS IN WRITING SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, SEVENTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31.

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IMPACT OF U.S.-CHINA TRADE TIES ON HONG KONG

THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR TR CHAU, LOOKED AT THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF HONG KONG'S ECONOMY WITH ITS TWO LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES IN HIS SPEECH AT CHICAGO COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS TODAY (MONDAY),

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THE

THESE ECONOMIC TIES WERE IMMENSELY VALUABLE TO HONG KONG, AT THE SAME TIME, THEY MADE THE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO U.S.-CHINA TRADE FRICTION, HE SAID.

BUT

/MR CHAU