Five public transport facilities to be designated as no smoking areas from tomorrow
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"To protect public health, it is the established policy of the Government to discourage smoking, contain the proliferation of tobacco use and protect the public from second-hand smoke. The extension of NSAs aims at further protecting the public from the harm of second-hand smoke," a spokesman for the DH said.
When the latest Notice comes into effect tomorrow, 260 PTFs are designated as NSAs.
No-smoking signs and layout plans will be put up, and demarcation lines will be 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. 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/open_air_ptfs_list.html) for public inspection.
Any person who does a smoking act in NSAs or in public transport carriers will be liable to 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 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.
The five PTFs newly designated as NSAs are:
1. Central (Man Kat Street) Bus Terminus;
2. Tung Chung Tat Tung Road Bus Terminus;
3. On Tai Estate Bus Terminus, Kwun Tong;
4. Cheung Wah Bus Terminus, Fanling; and
5. Kam Sheung Road Station Temporary Public Transport Interchange, Yuen Long.
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:00
Issued at HKT 12:00
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