XN000022-1994-10-28 — Page 8

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1994

"THE GOVERNMENT IS CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG TRAVELLERS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION OVERSEAS."

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO. ADDED THAT THE BRITISH SIDE HAD PUT PROPOSALS ON VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENTS AT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP,

"WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE PROGRESS BEING MADE ON THESE ISSUES IN THE COMING YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER GAZETTED

* * * *

THE SMOKING {PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES} (AMENDMENT} ORDER GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) IS TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE FOUR ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES CONTAINED IN THE NEWLY ENACTED SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID GRACE PERIODS OF BETWEEN THREE TO 12 MONTHS WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY, RETAILERS, AND RESTAURANTS FOR THEM ΤΟ MAKE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENT TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS.

THE ORDER PROHIBITS THE SALE OR GIVING FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MINORS.

THE ORDER, STIPULATES THAT RETAILERS ARE REQUIRED то EXHIBIT PROMINENTLY AT THEIR PREMISES A SIGN OF AT LEAST 38 BY 20 CENTIMETRES STATING IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH "BY ORDER OF HK GOVT: NO TOBACCO PRODUCT SHALL BE SOLD OR GIVEN FOR PROMOTION TO PERSONS UNDER 18".

THE WORDING ON THE SIGN MUST BE IN A COLOUR WHICH CONTRASTS WITH THE BACKGROUND OF THE SIGN.

RETAILERS WHO FAIL ΤΟ POST THE SIGN OR WHO SELL TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MINORS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $25,000.

HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IF RETAILERS HAD VERIFIED THE PURCHASER'S PROOF OF AGE AND BELIEVED ON REASONABLE GROUNDS THAT SUCH PERSON WAS NOT UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AT THE TIME, HE WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE COMMITTED THE OFFENCE.

THE THIRD MEASURE IN THE ORDER REQUIRES A SUITABLE SIGN TO DISPLAYED AT RESTAURANTS STATING WHETHER OR NOT A NO-SMOKING AREA PROVIDED.

"THIS SERVES TO ENABLE CUSTOMERS TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE RESTAURANTS, BASED ON THE CONSIDERATION WHETHER NO-SMOKING SEATING PROVIDED."

BE

IS

OF

IS

THE SIGNS SHOULD BE SQUARE IN SHAPE WITH A MINIMUM SIZE OF CENTIMETRES. THE DESIGN AND WORDING MUST BE IN A CONTRASTING COLOUR.

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/THE SPOKESMAN