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In response to media enquiries on law enforcement at designated no smoking areas in public markets and hawker bazaars by staff of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), a spokesman for the department said:
"The department has maintained a close dialogue with the staff side and relevant staff associations in preparation for their involvement in the enforcement against smoking offences. We fully understand staff concerns, and have formulated clear guidelines and provided training to equip them for implementing the legislation on fixed penalty for smoking offences."
"Today, we touched base separately with 12 major staff associations relevant to the smoking ban enforcement. They unanimously acknowledged public expectations on effective smoking control, and affirmed that they would perform their duties diligently according to departmental guidelines. They would not 'turn a blind eye' to offenders."
The spokesman thanked these staff associations for their sense of duty and the constructive views they had rendered in discussing anti-smoking enforcement duties and formulating guidelines. The department will continue to communicate with the staff side and improve the enforcement guidelines in the light of practical experience.
The spokesman regretted that a small number of staff members had reservations about enforcing the law against smoking. He called upon them to discharge their duties in full to meet public expectations of them as law enforcement officers.
Ends/Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:04
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