Public urged to watch smokers light up in Hong Kong

Smoking in public places has been banned since 2007 in Hong Kong. Light up in public places, said Hong Kong's Health Minister.

Smoking in public places has been banned on the territory since 2007, but many continue to ignore it.

Health Minister Lo Chang Mau said that one effective way to discourage people from smoking in prohibited areas is to make them feel uncomfortable with a disapproving look.

“When members of the public see people smoking in non-smoking areas, even if there are no law enforcement officers may appear immediately, we can gawk at smokers,” said Mr. Lo.

“When someone takes out a cigarette in a restaurant, everyone in the room can look at that person. I don't believe this man would dare to fight back at the restaurant because they're just staring.”

Mr Lo spoke to politicians after starting public consultations this week on tougher crackdowns. According to the South China Morning Post.

With the help of the public, smokers will be caught before they have a chance to finish their cigarette and escape punishment.

“We understand that law enforcement officers cannot always act at the scene of a crime. By the time they arrive, the crime may already have been stopped,” he said.

“Take, for example, the queue at the bus stop. No one will say that the law requires people to stand in line. Our society is capable of creating a culture in which people follow this rule of queuing while waiting for a bus. I hope the whole society can build a culture of smoking cessation.”

China and Hong Kong have some of the highest rates of smoking in the world, although they seem to be declining along with other parts of China. in the world.

In 2021, the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department reported that the smoking rate in 2021 was 9.5% compared to 10.2% in 2019.

Currently, smokers can be fined HK$1,500 (£147) for breaking the rules, but Prof Lo told the commission authorities need to get tougher. He said one way for the authorities to enforce the rules is to monitor CCTV footage or footage provided by the public.