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Following is a question by the Dr Hon Priscilla Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (February 11):
Question:
The statutory no smoking areas have been extended to cover amusement game centres and Internet computer services centres (commonly known as "Internet cafes") since January 1, 2007. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective numbers of complaints about smoking at such premises received by the Tobacco Control Office ("TCO") of the Department of Health last year, as well as the follow-up measures taken;
(b) of the respective numbers of inspections conducted at such premises by officers of TCO last year and the number of prosecutions instituted; and
(c) whether it has assessed if smoking at such premises is prevalent at present; if the assessment result is affirmative, whether it will adopt counter measures; if it will, of the details?
Reply:
President,
After the amendments to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (the Ordinance) were passed by the Legislative Council in 2006, the statutory no-smoking areas have been expanded significantly to include all indoor public places and workplaces as well as many outdoor sitting-out areas since January 1, 2007. Internet cafes and amusement game centres are also indoor statutory no-smoking areas.
In 2008, the Tobacco Control Office (TCO) received a total of 15,321 complaints about smoking, with 266 and 1,749 cases about smoking in contravention of the Ordinance in Internet cafes and amusement game centres respectively. During the period, Tobacco Control Inspectors had conducted 270 inspections on Internet cafes, and prosecuted a total of 318 persons by way of summons. As for amusement game centres, 1,571 inspections were conducted and a total of 2,229 persons were prosecuted by way of summons.
In order to reduce illegal smoking in Internet cafes and amusement game centres, the TCO has been working closely with the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority: apart from issuing letters to the licensees of all such establishments to remind them of the need to comply with the Ordinance, the two departments also carry out joint inspections from time to time for effective enforcement. Since the Ordinance came into effect, the management staff of Internet cafes and amusement game centres have been fairly cooperative. However, if there is a worsening trend of illegal smoking in such establishments, we will not rule out tightening up the relevant legislation having regard to the experience of other advanced economies.
Minimising the harmful effects of tobacco on youths is an integral part of the Government's tobacco control policy. To ensure effectiveness, multi-pronged measures were taken including publicity and education; provision of smoking cessation services; imposition of tobacco duty; enactment of legislation to expand the statutory no smoking areas and inclusion of a provision in the anti-smoking legislation to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18.
With regard to youth education and publicity, the TCO has produced tailor-made guidelines and display boards for the implementation of tobacco control measures at schools as well as promotional leaflets targeting at youths. The Government also provides annual funding to non-government organisations such as the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) to organise anti-smoking activities for children and adolescents.
COSH has been conducting "Health Talk" and "Education Theatre" as its main activities of tobacco control education programme for adolescents. Students are taught the hazards of smoking and how to resist the temptation of smoking, as well as to support a smoke-free environment. COSH organised, from time to time, large scale education promotional programmes to spread the message of a smoke-free environment territory-wide, and to educate children on how to protect themselves from the harmful effects of passive smoking. Such programmes include the "Smoke Free Hong Kong Starts with Teens" from 2005 to 2006, the "Smoke-free Environments - Create & Enjoy!" Photo Collection Campaign in 2007 and the "Smoke-free Family" Campaign in 2008. Children and adolescents are the major targets of all these activities aimed at encouraging them to support a smoke-free environment and life-style.
Regarding the prevention of young people from buying tobacco products, Tobacco Control Inspectors of the TCO have, since October 27, 2006, been conferred the power to take law enforcement action for offences under the Ordinance (except Part III), including Section 15A(1), i.e. no person shall sell any cigarette, cigarette tobacco, cigar or pipe tobacco to any person under the age of 18 years. Any person who contravenes this provision commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine at level four (i.e. $25,000).
What is worth mentioning is that according to the Thematic Household Survey, conducted by the Census and Statistics Department between December 2007 and March 2008, the percentage of smokers in the 15-19 age group in Hong Kong has dropped from 3.5% in 2005 to 2.4% recently. This shows that the tobacco control measures aimed at young people have been largely effective.
However, we will not be complacent. Continuous and simultaneous efforts in education and law enforcement are essential to preventing our young people from smoking. The Government will continue to carry out relevant measures, in order to raise awareness among the young of the harmful effects of smoking and preventing them from picking up the habit of smoking.
Ends/Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:25
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