September 3, 2001
The Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan today (September 3) launched a five-day Signature Campaign in support of the Government's proposed legislative amendments to further strengthen the tobacco control framework in Hong Kong and protect members of the public against passive smoking in public indoor premises.
Dr Chan was the first to sign her name on signature forms when she visited the Department of Health's (DH's) Tang Shiu Kin School Dental Clinic of the MacLehose Dental Centre in Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. She was accompanied by Consultant Paedodontist, Dr Joe Chan, and the Senior Dental Officer of Tang Shiu Kin School Dental Clinic, Dr Philip Poon.
She also explained the Government proposals to primary school pupils and their parents at the centre and invited them to join the DH Signature Campaign.
Dr Chan said: "As Government's Health Advisor, we have always been a staunch supporter of tobacco control in Hong Kong. We whole-heartedly back the proposed package of legislative amendments to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance."
"Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death and its harmful effects to health are well documented."
"We appeal to members of the public to join hands with the Government to further strengthen tobacco control and build a smoke-free culture in Hong Kong."
The DH Signature Campaign will run until Friday (September 7). Signature forms are available at special counters in over 190 DH clinics and health centres located throughout the territory.
These include General Out-patient Clinics, Maternal & Child Health Centres, Woman Health Centres, Elderly Health Centres, Student Health Service Centres, School Dental Clinics, the Central Health Education Unit and its three Health Education Centres, Chest Clinics and Social Hygiene Clinics.
In February this (2001) year, DH set up the new Tobacco Control Office tasked with facilitating the public to comply with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance and build a smoke-free culture in Hong Kong through multi-sectoral collaboration and community mobilisation. The office works closely with the Council on Smoking and Health, relevant Government Bureaux/Departments and non-governmental organisations.
Dr Chan said that DH had organised the following anti-smoking programmes during the first six months of this (2001) year:
The Government proposals were published on June 21 this (2001) year for public consultation until September 15. Copies of the consultation document are available for collection at the special counters in DH's clinics and centres.