Changing the smoking culture on the city’s construction sites will “take time”, Hong Kong’s labour commissioner has said as authorities completed 1,200 site inspections and issued 36 fixed-penalty notices in the first two weeks of a smoking ban at such locations. Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum said on Saturday that Labour Department officials also…
Hong Kong’s construction sector has rolled out a unified blueprint to enforce a strict, site-wide smoking ban taking effect on Friday, a major safety overhaul triggered by the deadly Tai Po fire last year. The guidelines, released by the Hong Kong Construction Association along with eight other industry groups on Thursday, are aimed at creating…
Smoking will be banned at construction sites in Hong Kong from July 17 under a government proposal sent to the legislature following the deadly blaze at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court last November. The government introduced three amendments to existing ordinances to improve fire safety at the sites on Tuesday. “Since the tragic fire which…
Hong Kong labour authorities have ruled out setting up designated smoking areas under a proposed ban on lighting up at construction sites due to “enforcement difficulties”, while pledging to deploy drones with heat sensors to strengthen inspections. Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum also said on Monday that the planned smoking ban – which was…
Hong Kong authorities are considering changing the proposed fine for smoking on a construction site to a fixed penalty of HK$3,000 (US$385) rather than a maximum of HK$150,000. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Tuesday that the initial plan was to amend the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, which only stipulates…
Nearly 90 per cent of Hong Kong residents support more smoking control measures, a poll has found, while a separate study estimated that raising tobacco tax progressively could cut the city’s smoking rate significantly within a decade. The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) and academics on Tuesday announced findings of both a…
Thirteen households from the Hong Kong estate devastated by the inferno in Tai Po remain uncontactable more than 10 days on from the blaze, with the city’s labour and welfare chief not ruling out that all may have died in the fire. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the Wang Fuk Court…
Major Hong Kong developers are considering a blanket ban on smoking for workers at all construction sites following the deadly Tai Po blaze that killed 159, with at least two already demanding that all their contractors impose the tough rule or step up penalties. The Real Estate Developers Association (REDA) told the Post on Friday…
Hong Kong tobacco control officers will be equipped with body cameras from Wednesday as they enforce the city’s smoking ban, with official data showing the number of penalty tickets issued last year has risen by almost one-third compared with 2023. Inspectors with the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office will wear the devices while performing their…
Hong Kong tobacco control officers will be equipped with body cameras from Wednesday as they enforce the city’s smoking ban, with official data showing the number of penalty tickets issued last year has risen by almost one-third compared with 2023. Inspectors with the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office will wear the devices while performing their…