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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee on Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2015 (the Amendment Order) conducted a visit today (February 1) to the Shing Mun Tunnels Bus Interchange, the Cross-Harbour Tunnel Bus Interchange and the Bus-Bus Interchanges on Tuen Mun Road.
Accompanied by the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, Members visited the Bus Interchanges of Shing Mun Tunnels and Cross-Harbour Tunnel respectively. These two bus interchanges are designated as no smoking areas (NSAs) under the Amendment Order. Members were concerned about the boundaries of the NSAs, the related facilitating measures such as the clarity of the no-smoking signs and the relevant markings on the ground, as well as the enforcement issues etc. Members also urged the Government to consider designating a smoking area to balance the rights of smokers. Meanwhile, Members visited the Bus-Bus Interchanges on Tuen Mun Road to observe the pedestrian flow. These interchanges are not statutory NSAs.
The Amendment Order designates eight bus interchanges and adjoining facilities located at eight tunnel portal areas as statutory NSAs and will come into operation on March 31, 2016. LegCo has set up a subcommittee to examine the Amendment Order. The discussion paper can be found at www.legco.gov.hk/yr15-16/english/hc/sub_leg/sc53/general/sc53.htm.¡@
Members participating in the visit included the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Sin Chung-kai, and Mr Albert Chan who is Subcommittee member.
Ends/Monday, February 1, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:16
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