XN000022-1994-05-03 — Page 5

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1994

THE

TOUGHER ANTI-SMOKING LAW ON WAY

* * * * *

GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) AGREED TO INTRODUCE FURTHER LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO RESTRICT THE USE, SALE AND PROMOTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

"THESE MEASURES AIM TO FURTHER DISCOURAGE SMOKING, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE YOUNG, AND TO PROMOTE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE SMOKE-FREE AREAS," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE MEASURES ARE:

TO REQUIRE RESTAURANTS TO DISPLAY A SIGN STATING WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE A NO-SMOKING AREA;

TO EXTEND TO ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT FOR HEALTH WARNINGS AND RESTRICTIONS ON ADVERTISING IN RESPECT OF CIGARETTES;

TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OR GIVING FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO PERSONS UNDER 18; AND

OF

DISPLAY A SIGN

ΤΟ REQUIRE TOBACCO PRODUCT RETAILERS TO INFORMING THE PUBLIC THAT SELLING OR GIVING PRODUCTS TO PERSONS UNDER 18 IS PROHIBITED.

TOBACCO

MAY

THESE MEASURES ARE CONTAINED IN THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON 27 AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 8.

"THERE HAD BEEN WIDE PUBLIC CONSULTATION BEFORE THE MEASURES WERE CONSIDERED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY HAS SHOWN SUPPORT FOR FURTHER ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE MEASURES AND WOULD REVIEW THE SITUATION PERIODICALLY TO SEE IF FURTHER STEPS WERE NEEDED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, THE CENTRAL BODY CO-ORDINATING ALL ANTI-SMOKING ACTIVITIES, WELCOMED THE INTRODUCTION, OF THE BILL.

"THESE NEW MEASURES REPRESENT A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF DISCOURAGING THE PUBLIC FROM SMOKING, HE SAID.

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WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON EFFECTIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES TO ATTAIN ANTI-SMOKING TARGETS, HE ADDED.

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