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To better protect public health, the smoking ban has been extended to include eight bus interchanges at tunnel portal areas since March 31 in accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2015. A spokesman for the Tobacco Control Office (TCO) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 14) that since the commencement of the relevant legislation, the enforcement of the smoking ban has been largely smooth. He also reminded the public to observe the new smoking ban to create a smoke-free Hong Kong.
From March 31 to yesterday (April 13), within two weeks after the commencement of the new smoking ban, Tobacco Control Inspectors (TCIs) issued a total of 127 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) and summonses for smoking offences in these eight bus interchanges.
"The extension is aimed at further protecting the public from the harm of second-hand smoke. Our enforcement actions were largely smooth and the new smoking ban was welcomed by the public in general," the spokesman said.
In reviewing the enforcement actions in 2015, the spokesman said, "The number of complaints about smoking illegally slightly increased from 17 354 in 2014 to 17 875 in 2015. TCIs conducted 29 324 inspections in 2015 and issued a total of 7 856 FPNs and summonses for smoking offences." TCIs will continue to conduct inspections in statutory no-smoking areas to ensure compliance with the smoking ban.
The spokesman said, "The TCO follows up on every complaint and arranges surprise inspections accordingly. In addition to following up on complaints received, the TCO also conducts proactive inspections at locations with more serious smoking problems. In 2015, we carried out over 5 200 proactive inspections, which accounted for about 18 per cent of our total inspections."
The spokesman urged members of the public to observe the smoking ban requirements and co-operate with law enforcement officers. According to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap 371) and the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance (Cap 600), no person shall smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe in statutory no-smoking areas. Offenders will be liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. TCIs will prosecute smoking offenders without prior warning.
"Smoking is hazardous to health. We encourage smokers to quit smoking. The DH has collaborated with various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Pok Oi Hospital, the University of Hong Kong, Lok Sin Tong and United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service, to provide free smoking cessation services. A free mobile phone-based smoking cessation tool, "Quit Smoking App", can be downloaded to assist smokers to quit. For enquiries on smoking cessation or appointments, the public can call 1833 183, the Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline of the DH," he added.
Ends/Thursday, April 14, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:25
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