Smoking ban hits five more interchanges

Erin Chan

Hong Kong's no-smoking areas will be extended to three bus interchanges and two public transport facilities from today, the Department of Health said.

That comes as the amendment of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance Order 2021 and Smoking (Public Health) (Designation of No Smoking Areas) Notice 2021 will be effective from the same day.

The amendment will bring the total number of bus interchanges and public transport facilities under the smoking ban to 14 and 255 respectively.

The three bus interchanges include Fan Ling highway bus interchange, Tseung Kwan O Tunnel bus interchange and Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel bus interchange. The two public transport facilities cover Chun Yeung Estate public transport interchange in Fo Tan and Sau Mau Ping (Central) bus terminus.

Meanwhile, the non-smoking areas of another two bus interchanges - Cross-Harbour Tunnel bus interchange in Hung Hom to Eastern Harbour Crossing bus interchange in Yau Tong - will be revised.

Likewise, the non-smoking areas of another four public transport facilities - Tai Po Market station public transport interchange, Siu Hong Court bus terminus in Tuen Mun, Kwun Tong station public transport interchange and Wong Chuk Hang temporary bus terminus - will be amended as well.

The department's spokesman said: "To protect public health, it is the established policy of the government to discourage smoking, contain the proliferation of tobacco use and protect the public from secondhand smoke."

He said no-smoking signs, layout plans and marking lines would be displayed.

The spokesman also warned that anyone smoking or carrying a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe in a designated non-smoking area or public transport would be punishable by a fixed fine of HK$1,500.

"We appeal to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. They are encouraged to call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183."