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The Hong Kong Government's
Proposals
for the Prevention of Health Problems caused by Tobacco On 21 June 2001, the Health and Welfare Bureau (HWB) released a public
consultation document on the Government's proposed legislative amendments
to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance Cap 371. The document invited
members of the public to express their views on the proposed legislative
amendments, which include important measures to expand the statutory no-smoking
areas in public indoor areas and to tighten control on tobacco advertising
and promotion The full text of the consultation document can be viewed
and download from the HWB's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/hwb/
We have had a very good response to the consultation but we are very concerned to have strong support from overseas tobacco control advocates. Please consider responding to the Health and Welfare Bureau NOW! Smoking is responsible for about 6,000 deaths in Hong Kong annually and
places an enormous burden on our health care system, costing billions
of HK$. The present legislation has made an important contribution to
tobacco control and the prevention of diseases caused by tobacco but it
is not comprehensive. The tobacco industry has created and exploited many
loopholes to continue their aggressive promotion of tobacco products to
young people (their principal target) through advertisement, sponsorship
and other forms of promotion. We need effective public health measures
to prevent this.
You may send your views and comments to the Health and Welfare Bureau
as indicated in the consultation document. An alternative is for you to
indicate your support through email, on the return form COSH has prepared
at http://www.info.gov.hk/hkcosh/consultation_form.htm. |