[1] Some smokers in Hong Kong are still lighting up at bus stops, despite new rules that prohibit smoking while queuing, as observed by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) earlier this month. Authorities said they have increased inspections at tourist spots and ramped up publicity efforts for the campaign. The new rules took effect on January 1 and include a ban on smoking at designated boarding points for public transport when waiting in a queue of two or more people.
[2] But on the first day of the policy, an SCMP reporter spotted a man smoking as he queued up with several people at a bus stop on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The smoker, who only gave his name as Ray, said he was unaware of the new rules. “I just passed by and lit a cigarette,” he said.
[3] Matthew Ong, 38, a lawyer visiting from the Philippines, avoided breaking the rules while smoking an e-cigarette as no one else was waiting at the bus stop near the Star Ferry Pier. He said he knew about the ban, but as a tourist, was unfazed by the change. He also said he believed doubling the fine for smoking-related offences to HK$3,000 would help deter the practice, as he was already keeping an eye out for no-smoking signs.
[4] In addition to the ban on smoking in queues, authorities have clamped down on people lighting up while entering venues such as cinemas, sports facilities and theme parks. Outside Ocean Park in Wong Chuk Hang, 10 workers from the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office were seen handing out leaflets publicising the new regulations.
[5] Mandatory no-smoking areas have been extended to within three metres of entrances or exits for childcare centres, residential care homes, schools, hospitals and designated clinics or health centres. Warning signs have also been put up at public hospitals and other facilities, saying: “Smoking is prohibited within three metres outside this entrance or exit.”
[6] Manny Lam Man-chung, head of the tobacco control office, said officers had conducted inspections in Tsim Sha Tsui and had not seen anyone violating the law. The office assigned 10 to 20 officers to inspect tourist hotspots as well as locations previously mentioned in complaints about smoking in non-designated areas.
[7] Lam said the office was targeting tourists as part of its information campaign to ensure that they were made aware of the new rules before arriving in the city. Publicity efforts include pamphlets and advertisements at hotels and various border checkpoints.
[8] Lam said that authorities were also engaging with social media users to get the word out about the policy change. He stressed fines would apply to residents and tourists alike. Under the new rules, smoking is still allowed near rubbish bins unless they are inside non-smoking spaces. Lam said the office was talking to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department about removing bins placed next to bus stops. He pledged to review whether more bins should be removed from streets.
Source: South China Morning Post, January 1
