XN000022-1996-03-06 — Page 132

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Respiratory diseases

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Law Cheung-kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

of the major respiratory diseases which have affected the people in the territory in recent years;

whether the number of people who have died of respiratory diseases is on the increase; and

what measures will be taken to educate the public how to prevent such diseases?

Reply:

(a)

(b)

(c)

The major respiratory diseases which have affected the people of Hong Kong in recent years are lung cancer, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases including asthma. Tuberculosis has undergone a resurgence in many parts of the world in recent years and remains a threat.

The death rate from the major respiratory diseases has remained relatively stable over the past three years.

Cigarette smoking is a very significant health hazard and is a recognised cause of bronchitis, emphysema and other lung diseases as well as being implicated in a number of cancers and significant disease conditions. The Government has, since 1982, been taking active and increasingly stringent measures to combat smoking, including the banning of smoking in public places, the requirement to display health warnings and tar contents on cigarette packs, the restriction of tobacco advertisements in the electronic media and the establishment of non-smoking areas in restaurants. The Hospital Authority has also identified chronic lung diseases as one of the priority health areas targeted for concerted action. Public hospitals have taken the initiative in launching smoking reduction and cessation programmes to reduce the risk of cigarette smoking. particularly to those who are already suffering from respiratory diseases.