Press Releases
SFH on Tin Shui Wai Hospital and tobacco control
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session
after attending a radio programme today (February 27):
Reporter: (Tin Shui Wai Hospital)
Secretary for Food and Health: We have chosen two possible sites for the Tin
Shui Wai Hospital. Our preferred site is in zone 32 which is a 1.3-hectare
plot of land. At the moment, I think the land is already available for
development. So, with the completion of our programme, we hope that the
hospital can come into operation in 2015. It is only six years from now.
This is considered a very short timetable for such a big project.
Reporter: Back on the topic of smoking, do you think the current measures
are too harsh for the smokers?
Secretary for Food and Health: Anti-smoking and reducing the damage of
tobacco to our citizens is always our objective. It is also the objective of
many countries. This world trend has really kicked off in the last five to
10 years. Of course, Hong Kong is one of the first places to introduce more
banned areas than others. But we feel that it has been effective in reducing
the percentage of smokers. With the additional measures we have taken,
including the increase in tobacco duty, we will be able to reduce further
the number of smokers, and particularly the young smokers. We are targeting
the young smokers who are easier to quit smoking because they have a shorter
period of smoking before they quit. And also, I think they should have other
attractions in their lives, rather than just smoking. There are many healthy
activities they can participate without indulging in smoking.
Reporter: (Smoking)
Secretary for Food and Health: Whenever we raise any tobacco duty, there is
always a concern because they would provide more incentives for smugglers.
But the Customs and Excise Department has also considered that they have
sufficient measures and resources to deal with this problem. So, we hope
that with the joint efforts of our bureau as well as the Customs, we are
able to tackle this problem.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, February 27, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:54
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