ENG-2007 — Page 218

170 Health

January 1, 2007, all indoor workplaces, indoor areas of restaurant premises, bars open to all ages, karaoke establishments and other indoor public places, child care centres, schools, hospitals, escalators, parks, as well as swimming pools and beaches under the management of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department have all become statutory no smoking areas.

Implementation and Enforcement

The Tobacco Control Office was set up in 2001 to coordinate the Government's efforts to enforce anti-smoking laws and to promote a smoke-free culture in Hong Kong.

One of the Tobacco Control Office's key tasks was to assist managers and staff of establishments in the statutory no smoking areas to observe the Smoking (Public) Health) Ordinance. In 2007, the office organised over 100 workshops for more than 5 000 staff responsible for the management of statutory no smoking area premises from various sectors. The office also distributed more than 1 million copies of educational materials including implementation guidelines and no-smoking signs to the participants.

Tobacco Control Office inspectors have the power to issue summonses to people breaking the no-smoking laws. At end-2007 the office had issued some 3 700 such

summonses.

Publicity and Education

An independent statutory body, called the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, has also been set up to help disseminate information on the hazards of smoking and to advise the Government on matters related to smoking, passive smoking and health.

During 2007, the council conducted a number of community involvement campaigns to nurture a smoke-free culture in public places and workplaces. The council also gave 157 talks on health to primary and secondary schoolchildren and held an interactive stage show in 49 primary schools which was watched by 62 278 students. In addition, the council launched a territory-wide publicity drive called 'Smoke-Free Hong Kong' which included broadcasts on TV and radio. The council mans a website www.smokefree.hk and a telephone hotline to receive enquiries and suggestions from the public on smoking and health.

Taxation

Taxation is widely recognised as one of the most effective tobacco control measures especially among younger smokers. The current tax on tobacco products amounts to $804 for each 1 000 cigarettes, or $16 for a packet of 20 cigarettes.

Smoking Cessation

Sixteen full-time and 14 part-time centres have been set up in public hospitals. and outpatient clinics to help smokers kick the habit. The centres are manned by trained nurses and pharmacists who provide counselling and medicines to help