Press Releases
86% support Government's anti-smoking measures
A survey by the Food and Health Bureau showed that 86% of respondents
supported the Government's overall anti-smoking measures.
On the increase of tobacco duty by 50% as in the Budget proposal, 77% of
respondents supported the Government's move. Only 12% indicated that they
did not support it.
Almost 70% of respondents supported the increase in tobacco duty to $24 or
above per pack of cigarettes as proposed by the Government. Of them, almost
half even proposed an increase of more than 100%, which means the tobacco
duty should rise to $32 or more per pack.
More than 80% of respondents indicated that they had visited restaurants,
eating places and karaoke establishments more frequently, rather than less,
after these places had become designated no smoking areas since 2007. Only
12% indicated their visit frequency had decreased.
More than 70% of respondents supported full implementation of a smoking ban
in indoor areas of six premises viz bars, clubs, night clubs, bathhouses,
massage establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises, with effect from July 1
this year. Only 10% were not supportive of this measure. Of all the
respondents, 45% indicated that they had visited at least one of the
above-mentioned premises before.
More than 40% of respondents anticipated that after full implementation of
smoking ban in indoor areas of bars, clubs, night clubs, bathhouses, massage
establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises, the frequency of their visit to
these premises would not decrease, or would even increase. Only 8% of
respondents anticipated that the frequency would decrease. About half of
respondents anticipated that they would continue not to visit these places.
The Government commissioned a research company to conduct an opinion poll
from March 19-24 on "Tobacco Control Measures". The opinion poll was
conducted through telephone interview. During the six-day fieldwork, 1,018
people were interviewed.
The opinion poll aimed to gauge public views on the level of support to the
various tobacco control measures, including the increase in tobacco duty,
and the full implementation of smoking ban in six statutory no smoking
areas, bars, clubs, nightclubs, massage establishments, and Mahjong-Tin Kau
premises, from July 1.
The questionnaires in the poll and the detailed results are in the annex.
Ends/Thursday, March 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:22
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