Smoking ban extension to public transport interchanges in open-air

9 July 2010

The Smoking (Public Health) (Designation of No Smoking Areas) (Amendment) Notice 2010, which designates 131 public transport interchanges or bus terminals (PTIs) as no smoking areas with effect from December 1, 2010, was gazetted today (July 9).

A spokesman for the Tobacco Control Office (TCO) of the Department of Health (DH) said that the Amendment Notice extended the smoking ban to 129 PTIs in the open air and two others with cover to further protect the public from the harm of second-hand smoke. "Subject to the vetting of the Legislative Council, the smoking ban will come into effect on December 1 this year," he said.

The TCO will launch publicity activities to promote public awareness and compliance before the smoking ban comes into operation. The original and copy of the plans of 131 PTIs are deposited in the Land Registry and TCO respectively for public inspection.

The smoking ban in PTIs is implemented in phases. Smoking has been banned at 43 indoor and 48 covered PTIs since January 1, 2007, and September 1, 2009, respectively.

The spokesman said a survey conducted in January this year found that a great majority of the public supported the smoking ban in PTIs and close to three quarters of them reported decreased exposure to second-hand smoke in PTIs where smoking was banned.

Under the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance, anyone who smokes or carries a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe in designated no smoking areas or in public transport carriers will be issued with a $1,500 fixed penalty notice.

The TCO has issued over 150 fixed penalty notices in no smoking PTIs since September 1, 2009, and the enforcement has been largely smooth. The TCO has also stepped up promotional efforts on smoking cessation. Smoke Free Ambassadors were deployed to promote smoking cessation in bars and pubs during World Cup period, for instance.

The spokesman called on smokers to quit smoking for the sake of their own and others' health. The public may seek smoking cessation services through the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation hotline at 1833 183.