The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 30) reminds the public that the public transport facilities (PTFs) shown in the Smoking (Public Health) (Designation of No Smoking Areas) (Amendment) Notice 2019 will be designated as no smoking areas (NSAs) with effect from tomorrow (December 31). Three PTFs will be newly designated as NSAs while four PTFs will have revised NSAs.

The three new NSAs are:

1. Chung On Bus Terminus;
2. West Kowloon Station Bus Terminus; and
3. Sai Kung (North) Public Transport Interchange.

The four PTFs with revised NSAs are:

1. Fo Tan (Shan Mei Street) Public Transport Interchange;
2. Hong Sing Garden Public Transport Interchange, Tseung Kwan O;
3. Cheung Wang Public Transport Interchange, Tsing Yi; and
4. Tsing Yi Station Public Transport Interchange.

     "The extension is aimed at further protecting the public from the harm of second-hand smoke," a spokesman for the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office said.

     Since September 1, 2009, the Government has designated NSAs in PTFs by phases for those areas identified as fulfilling the criteria as set out in section 3(1AB) of Cap. 371. There are currently about 240 PTFs designated as NSAs.

     No-smoking signs and layout plans have been put up, and demarcation lines have been displayed to indicate clearly the boundaries with regard to the respective physical settings at the new NSAs to remind the public of the smoke-free requirements. The plans showing the boundaries of the NSAs are available in the Land Registry, and will be uploaded to the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office's website (www.taco.gov.hk/t/english/legislation/legislation_ptf.html) for public inspection.

     Any person who smokes or carries a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe in a designated NSA or in public transport will be liable for a fixed penalty of $1,500. Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will prosecute smoking offenders without prior warning.

     "We appeal to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of the others. They are encouraged to call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183. The hotline is operated by registered nurses, providing professional counselling services on smoking cessation," the spokesman said.

Ends/Monday, December 30, 2019
Issued at HKT 19:08

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