TNAG-1609-FCO40-22131-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 32

Kodestion 5

2

Mr. YEUNG

Sir, having regard to the Government's warning

health, will Government justify

that smoking is hazardous

the

to

implications of the issue of cigarettes to adult prisoners?

Secretary for Security : The issue, Sir, of one packet of cigarettes a week I do not think is going to be tremendously detrimental to the

health of the individual prisoner, but what we are particularly

concerned about is that going into a prison is a pretty traumatic

experience anyway. And if we add to that by stopping people smoking

just with the blow of an axe, I think the consequences in terms of

not disturbances within prisons could be quite serious. Do forget,

Sir, we do have from time to time disturbances in our prisons.

Miss

DUNN

Sir, how does the percentage of 91 per cent

compare to the population as a whole - is it higher or lower than

the rate of smokers in the community?

Secretary for Security : Yes, Sir, it is of course very much higher.

Dr. CHIU

Sir, will the Government inform this Council

what is the difference between cigarette addiction and drug addiction,

and why are they treated differently in the Correctional Services

that is te.

Department in favour of cigarette smokers?

Secretary for Security : Well, Sir, it is a matter. I should have

thought quite obviously of degree; I mean, you cannot have drug