HONG KONG-
Hong Kong has become a mostly smoke-free city, with a ban on lighting up inside restaurants, workplaces, schools, karaoke lounges and public areas.
Even smoking at outdoor places such as beaches, swimming pools, sports grounds, museums and most areas of public parks is forbidden under the law that went into effect Jan. 1.
Amy Choi, a 27-year-old law student, supports the smoking ban because she hates breathing in secondhand smoke, even though she enjoys a puff when she drinks.
“I don’t like people smoking next to me. It’s so smoky and smelly,” she said.
Australian tourist Robert Hyde, a smoker for over 10 years, said the ban wouldn’t stop him from returning to Hong Kong.
“If I need to smoke, then I’ll smoke outside the restaurant and then go back to enjoy my meal. It’s easy,” Hyde said.
But 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. The coverage is so large but the smoking area is so limited,” he said.
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 $644.
The ban does not yet include nightclubs, bars, mahjong parlors, bathhouses and massage establishments–such venues have until July 1, 2009, to implement the law.
