TNAG-1556-FCO40-2120-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 9

There are no staffing implications as monitoring of the enforcement of the tighter standards will continue to be carried out by the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing.

Public reaction

26

The general public will probably accept the proposals as reasonably pragmatic. However, strong and diverse views on tobacco advertising are held by certain sectors of the public, and strong criticism of the proposals can be expected from the tobacco and advertising lobbies and the broadcasting licensees, as well as some individuals. Such criticism, however, is likely to be counterbalanced by equally strong rebuttals by the anti-smoking sector which is no less articulate. The pro-advertising lobby

lobby is likely to

to be

be critical of both the decision in favour of a total ban, and the introduction of new restrictions in 1988, in particular the voice-over repeating the health warning message at the end of an advertisement. These critics are also unlikely to be greatly mollified, at least publicly, by the knowledge that the ban on television will be introduced only in phases, and are unlikely to look favourably upon promise of a review of measures by the future Broadcasting Authority. They are likely to win a small measure of support from the public at large for their stance. Anti-smoking activists and representatives of the educational social and medical sectors, while preferring an immediate ban, will consider the proposals as a step in the right direction.

Publicity

27

1

The Executive Council's advice has now been sought on most of the major recommendations of the

of

BRB. Subject to members agreement, Council's decisions today on this and previous papers will be announced as soon as possible by a press conference. For member's reference, at Annex B is a list of all the decisions reached so far on the BRB's proposals, indicating in each case whether the proposal has been accepted, accepted with modifications, or rejected.

Advice sought

28

Members are invited to advise

(a)

whether the BRB's recommendation of a ban on

(b)

on

total

tobacco advertising and sponsorship television should be accepted (para. 15

above);

whether this ban should be implemented in phases as outlined in para. 17 above;

CONFIDENTIAL