Press Releases

SFH on tobacco duty and protest in Central

Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a media stand-up session in the Legislative Council Building today (June 15):

Reporter: (About a man who staged a protest in Central this morning)

Secretary for Food and Health: This complainant Mr Lau has actually contacted us for some time. Since 2008, he complained to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department regarding a compensation package that he was not entitled to. Since then I think he repeatedly voiced his complaint and we have responded every time, but not to his satisfaction. Last month he approached us again and wanted to see me. I have instructed my colleagues to address and review his case to see whether there is any fresh evidence that he is entitled to some sort of support. Unfortunately, there is no additional information that we can exercise our discretion. In that meeting, we also identified that he might need a certain social welfare support. So we offered that the Social Welfare Department would step in, intervene and to give him any support that he needed. But he rejected the offer.

Reporter: (About what will the Government do to help people to quit smoking)

Secretary for Food and Health: I think our emphasis now is on quit smoking campaign. This year the Government has injected 42 million dollars into the campaign programmes throughout Hong Kong. Mostly I think is for subsidising NGO (non-government organisations) so that they can offer free quit smoking medications for those people who are interested. I would like to appeal to those who want to quit smoking that this is actually the right time to make a decision. Act now.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)




Ends/Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 22:21

NNNN