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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Urbco is the first council to have elected members. So to a certain extent Urbco itself is a manifestation of democratic spirit. Urbco plays in important role in matters like environmental improvement, public health, recreation, culture and leisure. But apart from these, Urbco members also perform the duty of speaking for the people. We councillors frequently solve problems for the people and explain questions to them. So there are the aforesaid two favourable factors. If we strengthen communal education inside Urbco, or, to be a little more moralistic, we can set ourselves as examples and start with ourselves. For instance, we may periodically visit various districts to thoroughly understand each district's situation. In this way, our work can gain stronger driving force and the policies and facilities of Urbco can be more timely and congruent with social needs. Then there will be less chance for the appearance of 'White elephant'.

Let me turn to specific examples. While we are building the museum of science we should draw up a set of training plan to train the staff for the museum's talks, experiments and demonstrations. The forthcoming museum should have a place to display Hong Kong's articles of invention and innovation, and to specifically promote and make known scientific theories formulated by Hong Kong scholars so as to give HongKong's young inventors acknowledgement, encouragement and support.

With regard to the museum of history that is about to be expanded, my suggestion is that it should be given the flavour of life and the time. The history is Hong Kong's development should be able to make the people of Hong Kong feel proud of themselves. It can describe in detail the important role played by Hong Kong in the past in the politics, economy and culture of neighbouring places.

Finally, with regard to activities and facilities arranged by Urbco, I think that great efforts should be made to encourage popular participation. When we are building certain facilities, we should discard the old concept of 'So and so is building this for you' and, instead, establish a concept of general involvement embracing common efforts and common enjoyment so as to break away from traditional publicity methods. A society founded on such a foundation definitely won't be second to a patronizing welfare state.

MISS VICTORIA Y. CHAN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, the Urban Council is directly concerned with public health and the improvement of the quality of life of the public. It is therefore appropriate for me to speak on the topic of anti- smoking in this debate.

The Government deserves applause in its programmes against tobacco smoking. In the 1960s and 1970s the Government commenced to apply restrictions on smoking in public places and public transport; an ad hoc committee on smoking was established and a voluntary code of practice for advertising cigarette on television was introduced.

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Since 1980, we have seen the enactment of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance and numerous administrative measures imposed by the Government to establish non-smoking areas. Public health education was intensified and a major anti-smoking publicity campaign was launched in 1983. More recently, we have seen the Government's decision to set up a $1 million anti-smoking council to combat smoking and the imposition of the ban, to be implemented in three stages, of tobacco advertising on radio and television, the total ban to be effective in 1990.

Medical sources say that smoking is the largest preventable cause of death in Hong Kong. Official Government statistics indicate that approximately 3 000 people died each year in Hong Kong due to cigarette smoking. Medical authorities warn that one in four smokers will die prematurely from smoking, thereby placing tobacco in a unique risk catagory. Although Government has made great progress in its campaign against smoking, we cannot afford to pause in our endeavours to stamp out the usage of tobacco and I advocate continued firm and responsible action against smoking in the interest of public health.

I would respectfully make the following recommendations:-

(1) The recent announcement by the Government of the ban against advertising of tobacco on radio and television will only be completely effective from December 1990, four years away. In the meantime, I would suggest that stricter adherence be sought on the existing regulations which provide that 'no advertising (of cigarettes) shall imply that smoking promotes physical health, romance, prominence, success or personal advancement' and that smoking should not be presented as a 'desirable new experience'. Further, the Government should consider increasing its advertisements on television and announcements on radio to warn the public of the health hazards of smoking, thereby counter- acting against those advertisements placed by the tobacco companies. (2) Tobacco companies spend vast sums of money on outdoor advertise- ments which are required by the law to carry a visible health warning which occupies not less than 10 per cent of the surface of the advertisement. Unfortunately the part of the advertisements bearing such health warnings in many cases are obscured by other buildings or light fixtures, whether accidentally or intentionally. The provisions in the Smoking (Public Health) (Notices) Order should be strictly enforced and prosecution be promptly made against any violation thereof.

(3) Advertising through sporting entertainment and cultural sponsorship by the tobacco industry has been shown to influence young people to take up smoking. Sponsorship is just another form of advertising which enables the tobacco companies to introduce glamour and excitement into cigarette smoking the addiction traps for young people. The Urban Council has since 1985 adopted the policy of not accepting sponsorship or advertising from tobacco companies for cultural, entertainment or sports functions solely or jointly presented by the