Hong Kong held its second smoke-free restaurant
open day Wednesday with 320 more food premises on the smoke-free
list and prepared for the indoor-area smoking ban to start on Jan,
1, 2007.
Deputy Director of Health Leung Ting-hung said more
eateries of different size and cuisine have joined the smoke-free
restaurant list.
Smoke-free restaurant open day started from October
to December on 29th of each month to make both restaurants and
their customers used to smoke-free practice before the indoor
smoking ban's official enforcement next year.
Leung said certain trades or businesses may need a
longer adaptation period to prepare for the changes and to
transform their mode of business.
The ban for six types of establishments -
designated mahjong rooms, bars, nightclubs, bathhouses, massage
establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises - will take effect July
1, 2009.
(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2006)