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January 12th, 2008:

Macau Support for Tobacco Control

Jan 12th, 2008
by AdminCTA.
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High support for tightening restrictions on tobacco: survey

Saturday, 12 January 2008 – Macau Daily Times

A survey showed that 44.8 percent of the Macau people endorsed a stricter control on tobacco, according to a survey released by the yesterday.

The survey, launched by Macau’s Department of Health, consulted public opinions on the SAR government’s proposed revision of tobacco control laws, including increase of tobacco tax, expansion of no-smoking area, regulations of tobacco advertisements and sales.

Among the proposed regulations, 76.8 percent of the people support the expansion of no-smoking area in the island city of 528, 000 residents, according to the survey.

Feedback from the surveyed also suggested that the government should establish a tobacco supervising office to step up its control over tobacco, and ban smoking in casinos and world heritage sites.

Meanwhile, the survey also indicated that tobacco dealers, souvenir retailers and some restaurant owners were partly or fully against the proposed regulations on tobacco.

Is The Smoking Ban Effective?

Jan 12th, 2008
by AdminCTA.
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Do you think the smoking ban is effective?

Jan 12, 2008 – SCMP

But how about taxis?

There is no curb on either drivers or passengers smoking in these small spaces. Hong Kong administrators should note that Japan virtually banned all smoking in taxis whether it be by passengers or the drivers themselves.

It will be a great day when I can drive a few kilometres and not have to witness a taxi driver with his window wide open spilling cigarette ash, and probably the butt as well, on to our roads or pavements, winding up his window and then driving away.

No wonder most taxi cabins smell filthy.

J. R. Paine, Chai Wan

Do you think the smoking ban is effective?

Jan 12, 2008 – SCMP

The smoking-ban legislation has been in force for a year now and I think it has been ineffective. As I am a non-smoker, I sometimes find it hard to breathe on our streets because there are so many people smoking. The law mostly applies to indoor public places. It does not stop people lighting up on the street, and the number of smokers in Hong Kong has not decreased.

The fact is that non-smokers are exposed to second-hand smoke in our streets, and so they continue to face a health risk.

I would like to see a blanket smoking ban, including outdoor areas. This would help protect non-smokers and might help some smokers kick their habit.

Angel Lau Ho-yan, Tung Chung