Hong Kong health authorities will launch a five-day enforcement operation on Monday to combat illegal smoking in smoke-free areas within public transport facilities.
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The Department of Health said on Friday that its Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office would take enforcement actions under the operation, named “Laserflame”.
“To protect public health, it is the established policy of the Government to discourage smoking, contain the proliferation of tobacco use and protect the public from second-hand smoke,“ the department said.
It added that signs and layout plans had been installed, with demarcation lines marking the boundaries of no-smoking areas to remind the public of the regulations.
The operation is part of the government’s increased measures against illegal smoking. Tobacco control officers have been equipped with body cameras while enforcing the city’s smoking ban rules since Wednesday, resulting in an increase in the number of fines issued.
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Authorities also reminded the public that, from August 31, the smoking ban would be expanded to cover all 272 smoke-free public transport facilities in the city, including 10 newly designated locations.