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More than 200 food premises will take part in a "Smoke-Free Restaurants Open Day" series to be launched this Sunday (October 29) to promote a smoke free culture in Hong Kong.
The series of open days, to be held on the 29th of each month for three consecutive months is aimed to help the catering industry as well as the public adapt to a smoke-free environment in food premises.
Speaking at a press conference today (October 23), the Deputy Director of Health, Dr TH Leung, who is also co-chairing the Smoke-free Restaurants Working Group, said that more than 200 food premises of different natures and sizes, including Chinese restaurants and restaurants providing other cuisines, fast food shops and karaoke lounges have pledged to take part in the event.
All participating restaurants will display posters and prominent no-smoking signs in their premises to remind clients of the smoke-free open day.
"Staff of these restaurants will be wearing badges of Smoke-Free Ambassadors. They will help distribute pamphlets and give advice to clients patronising the restaurants.
The Smoke-free Restaurants Working Group was jointly set up by the Department of Health (DH) and the catering industry in March this year to serve as a bridge between the Government and the industry.
It has organised publicity and health education activities to enable people to realise the hazardous effects of smoking, and hence encouraging them not to smoke.
Dr Leung said a Smoke-Free Restaurants Slogan Competition held in July, 2006, attracted entries from more than 230 contestants.
"Clients patronising the smoke-free restaurants taking part in the open day scheduled for October 29 can vote for the best three winning entries among 10 best slogans short-listed by the Working Group," he said.
The Working Group had also organised six seminars between March and August to help the catering industry better understand the legislative amendments in the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance.
More than 600 frontline and management staff of the food premises had attended the seminars and 400 participants were appointed by the Working Group as Smoke-Free Ambassadors.
Another co-chairman of the Smoke-free Restaurants Working Group and Convener of the Catering Entertainment Premises Smoking Ban Regulations Concern Group, Mr Anthony Lock, said at the press conference that support from the Government and the public would be essential to help maintain confidence of the business and reduce as much as possible the impact caused by the new regulatory requirements.
He said three catering associations and participating restaurants provided resources and manpower to tie in with activities organised by the Working Group to promote understanding of the new amendments, harmful effects of smoking and second-hand smoke and consciousness of staff and citizens in abiding by the law.
"I believe that with the concerted efforts of the Government, the industry and the public, tobacco control policy can be effectively implemented and the smoking population will gradually decrease. Hong Kong will continue to enjoy the reputation of a gourmet paradise," Mr Lock said.
Also attending the press conference were Chairman of the Association of Restaurant Managers, Mr Chung Wai-ping, Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, Mr Chan Wing-on, and Chairman of the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management Ltd, Mr Yeung Wai-sing.
Ends/Monday, October 23, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:11
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