The Tobacco Control Office was set up in 2001 under the Department of Health to coordinate the Government's tobacco control efforts and promote a smoke-free culture in Hong Kong through intersectoral collaboration and community mobilisation.

    Recognising the complexity of tobacco control issues, the office has adopted a multi-pronged approach to achieve its goals. One of the priority areas is to assist managers and staff working in statutory no-smoking areas to comply with and enforce the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance. In 2002, 590 restaurants and 142 shopping malls were visited and the legal requirements explained to managers of these no-smoking areas.

    Under the ordinance, tobacco advertisements are prohibited in printed publications distributed in Hong Kong. The office screened 2 100 issues of printed publications and issued 19 warning letters against tobacco advertisements during the year. The office also organises health education activities by itself or in collaboration with other organisations to increase public awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco and second-hand smoke.

    On June 21, 2001, the then Health and Welfare Bureau released a public consultation document on the Government's proposed legislative amendments to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance. The document invited members of the public to express their views on the proposed legislative amendments, which include measures to expand the statutory no-smoking areas in public indoor areas and to tighten control on tobacco advertising and promotion. The consultation ended in September 2001, with over 10 000 written submission received from different sectors of the community. The results of the consultation were reported to the public in July. The Government is finalising the legislative proposals with a view to reporting back to the Legislative Council's Panel on Health Services in 2003.

    The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health is an independent statutory body, established in 1987 to acquire and disseminate information on the hazards of using tobacco products, and to advise the Government on matters related to smoking, passive smoking and health.

    During the year, the council conducted publicity and community involvement campaigns with particular emphasis on discouraging smoking in public and in workplaces. The council continued its school health education programmes and, during the year, gave health talks to a total 142 primary and secondary schools. The council also operates a telephone hotline to receive enquiries, suggestions and complaints from members of the public on matters related to smoking and health.

    In collaboration with the Ruttonjee Hospital, the Department of Community Medicine and the Department of Nursing Studies of the University of Hong Kong, and the Department of Community and Family Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the council set up in August 2000 a Smoking Cessation Health Centre, located at the Ruttonjee Hospital, to provide smoking cessation support services. This centre conducted a total 994 service sessions to help smokers give up smoking during the year.