Sweeping smoking ban takes effect in Hong Kong

HONG KONG: After partying into the New Year, Hong Kong welcomed sweeping new laws on Monday banning smoking in indoor public places, but bar and restaurant owners insist the measure is unworkable.   

They risk prosecution of the ban is flouted, while smokers face on-the-spot fines of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($640) if they are caught lighting up in bars, restaurants and karaoke lounges.   

While business leaders warned the new measure would kill off trade in Hong Kong's usually teeming bars and restaurants, people on the street gave the new law the thumbs-up.   

"It means I can drink and not come out the bar stinking like an ash-tray," said non-smoker Malcolm Cook the morning after a night partying to welcome in the new year.   

The legislation, which had been under consideration for more than a decade, was finally passed in October with huge support among lawmakers. It is aimed not so much at curbing smoking among this seven-million strong city's estimated 900,00 smokers, but more to protect the health of the 200,000 people employed in the hospitality industry who would otherwise be exposed to second-hand smoke.   

The new law applies to all indoor places of entertainment or business. Some 750 premises have been given temporary exemptions and may allow smoking until 2009, but the rest of the city's thousands of bars, restaurants and clubs must comply with the new law.   

Despite the measure's passage, there is deep resentment among some in the hospitality industry who warn that their business is at risk.   

Huge street demonstrations were held during the year by bar and restaurant staff who feared the ban would discourage regulars from their premises.   

"I have no alternative but to enforce the law," said one barman at the Deli Lamma bar, a popular watering hole on Lamma Island, a small leafy isle about a mile from downtown.   

The bars of Lamma will be watched as a test of the enforceability of the law as they are far from the centre of police control in Hong Kong.   

"It's going to be unenforceable -- it's going to be hard getting people to put out their cigarettes when they are in a party mood," added the barman. "I think people will just stay at home more, where they can smoke."   

In an effort to enforce the ban, the Hong Kong health department's Tobacco Control Office has sent teams of inspectors into the community.   

A government spokesman refused to comment on how many inspectors were out patrolling the streets or how many fines had been issued on New Year's Eve, usually the biggest night of celebration for this former British colony.   

In an attempt to appease the city's legions of diehard smokers, the government has designated 255 areas in public parks and playgrounds across the territory where lighting up will still be allowed.   

Outside some office buildings, yellow lines have been painted to outline smoking areas.