SCMP – Laisee
Today is World No Tobacco Day. The World Health Organisation says on its website: “Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death. The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless we act it will kill up to eight million people by 2030.”
Closer to home, Jim Middleton, chairman of Clear the Air, says: “More than 7,000 people die each year in Hong Kong from tobacco-related illnesses, of which 1,400 die from the effects of passive smoking.” He adds that there are a number of measures which the government should adopt.
These include making licensees responsible for the prevention of smoking on their premises at the risk of losing their licences, and banning smoking in all areas of licensed premises, including patio areas, and within 15 metres of the venue. Tobacco should be sold in plain packages, from under the counter.
And he challenges Hong Kong’s new government to make Hong Kong tobacco-free by 02-02-2022.