XN000022-1997-01-15 — Page 19

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The industry has often maintained that tobacco sponsorship of sporting and cultural events does not constitute tobacco advertising or attract people to smoke. Hence, there is no need to restrict tobacco sponsorship through legislation. I am sure that all Members will wish to see the industry demonstrate the truth of this by eliminating the coincidental similarity in style and imagery that now exists between their sponsorship advertisements and tobacco advertisements.

The advertising industry has called for a voluntary code instead of legislation, despite their poor record of compliance in the past. Even with regard to health warnings, which are a statutory requirement, advertisers repeatedly try to make these as indistinct as possible.

The advertising industry claims that further controls on tobacco advertising will cost them $1 billion in revenue and threaten up to 1,000 jobs. As the Hon Member Mr Leong Chi-hung has pointed out, a similar agrument was advanced before advertisements were prohibited on television in 1990, but evidence showed that the revenue of the two TV stations actually increased, rather than declined. Against revenue from tobacco advertising, we must also bear in mind the social and economic costs up to $4 billion in medical bills and lost productivity and around 4,600 deaths per year due to smoking.

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In implementing our strategy, we must exercise care, lest our good intentions result in actions which are perceived as draconian or unwarranted infringement of an individual's rights. I am therefore mindful of all the suggestions that have been expressed in this Council today as to how we should proceed. I will give these views careful consideration.

To conclude, I assure this Council that the Administration is determined, as it has always been, to combat smoking. We will do what needs to be done. If we are truly to succeed, we need to build up a smokefree culture where everyone values a smokefree living and working environment. Such a smokefree culture has to be built up with contributions from each and every one of us in the community.

To coin a phrase: "a smokefree environment starts with me".

By discussing the issue here today, Members have already advanced the issue. The Administration will continue to promote it through publicity, education and legislation. We all look forward to the day when Hong Kong is a healthier, smokefree place in which to live, work and enjoy life.

End