XN000022-1995-07-28 — Page 27

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The First Phase, which covered the two ends of the Victoria Harbour covering the industrial areas in Kwun Tong in the east and Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung in the west, was declared on September 27 last year.

End/Friday, July 28, 1995

Recommendations to tackle underage drinking

The working group on underage drinking of the Commission on Youth has made recommendations to tackle the problem in its final report published recently.

A spokesman for the Commission said today (Friday) that the working group found it unjustifiable at this stage to recommend a total ban on sale of alcohol to minors before a comprehensive data-collecting exercise was conducted. Nevertheless, the working group saw merit in prohibiting the sale of alcohol in schools, sports grounds and places frequented by young people.

He said: "this will send a positive message to young people that underage drinking is not socially welcomed and is not an acceptable behaviour."

The working group will urge the Urban Services Department and the Regional Services Department to consider the suggestion.

Noting that young people have been led by television programmes to set their attitudes towards drinking, the working group suggested that the Codes of Practice of Advertising Standards controlling advertisements on alcohol beverages should be carefully examined.

"The working group suggests the Broadcasting Authority to consider further tightening the provisions in the Codes with reference to the experience in controlling cigarette advertisements on television.

"Tighter advertising guidelines and more restrictive broadcasting hours would avoid generating unwarranted curiosity towards alcohol amongst young people," the spokesman said.

Highlighting the need for public education, the working group found that apart from education programmes, parents and teachers should also be accounted for the proper guidance of young people.