[Intl-tobacco] Tough tobacco proposals could make Hong Kong non-smoking

[Robert Weissman]

Tough tobacco proposals could make Hong Kong non-smoking
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Saturday, 5/12/01

Hong Kong could become an almost completely non-smoking city, with tobacco
banned in bars and nightclubs under new government proposals.

A report in the South China Morning Post says the proposals are included
in a discussion paper about to be tabled in the territory's parliament

The proposed amendments to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance, include
a call for wide-reaching bans on smoking in offices, shops and factories.

No-Smoking zones could also be introduced in restaurants, bars and karaoke
bars as well as school, universities and indoor workplaces.

The plan is to gradually extend the ban to other public indoor
entertainment establishments including even nightclubs, bathhouses and
mahjong parlours.

Managers would be empowered to enforce the law and can call police if
warnings were not heeded.

Eventually private homes would be virtually the only indoor place where
smoking was permitted.

Legislation currently requires restaurants with more than 200 seats to
designate a third of their floor space as non-smoking areas.

The discussion paper wants to prohibit smoking in all restaurants,
regardless of size.

The hospitality industry has expressed serious concerns about the
proposals.