Hong Kong gears up for smoking ban
Hong Kong will become a mostly smoke-free city tomorrow when a ban on lighting up inside restaurants, workplaces, schools, karaoke lounges and public areas comes into force.
Even smoking at outdoor places such as beaches, swimming pools, sports grounds, museums and most areas of public parks will be forbidden.
Maverick lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung opposed the new law, saying a complete ban is unnecessary. He plans to demonstrate against the prohibition in the next few months.
"Smoking is not permitted in many of the outdoor areas," he said. "The coverage is so large but the smoking area is so limited."
Leung, nicknamed Long Hair, also said there are filtration and ventilation systems that are effective in keeping air clean inside.
"It's ridiculous that the government is not allowing restaurateurs to use those enhancement facilities to maintain a smoking area in their restaurants. They should be given a choice," he said.
Anyone caught breaking the new anti-smoking law will be subject to a maximum penalty of 5,000 Hon Kon dollars (€520).
The ban does not yet include nightclubs, bars, mahjong parlours, bathhouses and massage establishments - such venues have until July 1, 2009, to implement the law.
