‘Stare at people who smoke to cease them’: Hong Kong well being chief’s weird recommendation

By India Today World Desk: Hong Kong’s well being secretary has advised measures to assist construct a non-smoking tradition within the metropolis. Lo Chung-mau mentioned that individuals in Hong Kong ought to discourage smoking by looking at anybody who lights up in areas the place it’s banned, the BBC reported.

He made the remarks when he was bombarded with questions by lawmakers about easy methods to create a tobacco-free metropolis. Hong Kong is presently debating toughening its anti-tobacco measures.

Current guidelines ban smoking inside eating places, workplaces, indoor public areas and a few outside public areas.

Issuing a warning, the well being secretary mentioned that authorities would think about video clips supplied by the individuals, which might be used as proof to crackdown on people who smoke lighting up in restricted public areas, the South China Morning Post reported.

‘CREATING A TOBACCO-FREE CITY’

Answering questions on easy methods to create a tobacco-free metropolis, Lo Chung-mau additionally mentioned police couldn’t be anticipated to catch people who smoke.

“Cigarettes can harm the health of all of us,” Lo instructed a gathering of the Legislative Council’s well being service panel after launching a public session train on more durable anti-smoking guidelines earlier this week.

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Lo, who can also be a medical physician, mentioned smoking was dangerous for the well being of everybody and Hong Kong wanted a “culture in society that people are willing to comply with the law”.

He added, “When members of the public see people smoking in non-smoking areas, even if no law enforcement officers can show up immediately, we can stare at the smokers.”

“When somebody takes out a cigarette at a restaurant, everybody on the premises can stare at that individual. I don’t imagine that individual would dare to hit again at everybody on the restaurant as they’re merely staring,” he said.

He also said when police “arrive on the scene, the crime might have already stopped” and so they cannot take action.

“No one will say it requires the legislation to compel individuals to queue. Our society is ready to create a tradition the place individuals will adjust to this rule of queuing when ready for buses. I hope the entire of society can construct a non-smoking tradition,” the well being secretary added.

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