Press Release
LegCo Subcommittee visits designated statutory no smoking areas at bus interchanges (with photos)
The Legislative Council ("LegCo") Subcommittee on Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2015 ("the Amendment Order") conducted a visit today (1 February) to the Shing Mun Tunnels Bus Interchange, the Cross-Harbour Tunnel Bus Interchange and the Bus-Bus Interchanges on Tuen Mun Road.
Accompanied by Professor Sophia CHAN Siu-chee, Under Secretary for Food and Health, Members visited the Bus Interchanges of Shing Mun Tunnels and Cross-Harbour Tunnel respectively. These two bus interchanges are designated as no smoking areas ("NSAs") under the Amendment Order. Members were concerned about the boundaries of the NSAs, the related facilitating measures such as the clarity of the no-smoking signs and the relevant markings on the ground, as well as the enforcement issues etc. Members also urged the Administration to consider designating a smoking area to balance the rights of smokers. Meanwhile, Members visited the Bus-Bus Interchanges on Tuen Mun Road to observe the pedestrian flow. These interchanges are not statutory NSAs.
The Amendment Order designates eight bus interchanges and adjoining facilities located at eight tunnel portal areas as statutory NSAs and will come into operation on 31 March 2016. LegCo has set up a subcommittee to examine the Amendment Order. The discussion paper can be found at the following webpage: http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr15-16/english/hc/sub_leg/sc53/general/sc53.htm.
Members participating in the visit included Hon SIN Chung-kai, Chairman of the Subcommittee, and Hon Albert CHAN Wai-yip who is Subcommittee member.
Ends/Monday, 1 February 2016
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The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2015 observes the Cross-Harbour Tunnel Bus Interchange to better understand the boundaries of the designated no smoking area. Members participated in the visit are (front row, from left) Hon Albert CHAN Wai-yip and Hon SIN Chung-kai.
Legislative Council Members observe the Bus Interchange of Shing Mun Tunnels to learn more about the facilitating measures in relation to the designation of statutory no smoking areas.