Hong Kong asks citizens to stare at people who are smoking, in a bid to reduce smokers

Have you ever done something which made you uncomfortable because everyone was staring at you? If yes, then it is exactly what Hong Kong wants you to do to smokers. Hong Kong has been finding various methods to reduce smokers and this has even resulted in a sharp decline in smoking. As per one 2022 government health and community press release, only about 9.5 per cent of people in Hong Kong smoked in 2021.

Speaking at a Legislative Council, Lo Chung-Mau, Secretary of Health said, “When the members of the public see people smoking in non-smoking areas, even if no law enforcement officers can show up immediately, we can stare at the smokers.” He also said that the city must adopt a culture where people are ready to comply with the laws.

In Hong Kong, smoking in prohibited places like restaurants, workplaces or bus stops or other outdoor places, can attract a fine of HK$1,500 (USD 192). However, the Hong Kong government is considering tighter rules related to smoking. These could include tax hikes and ban on tobacco sale to people born after a certain year.

As per the South China Morning Post, Lo said that cigarettes harm everyone, not just the one smoking them. “When someone takes out a cigarette at a restaurant, everyone on the premises can stare at that person. I do not believe that person would dare to hit back at everyone in the restaurant, as they are simply staring.” “No one will say it requires the law to compel people to queue. Our society is able to create a culture where people will comply with this rule of queuing when waiting for buses. I hope the whole of society can build a non-smoking culture,” added Lo Chung-Mau.

According to the World Health organisation (WHO) around 1.3 billion people around the world smoke cigarettes or at least consume tobacco. The practice of smoking tobacco is widely frowned upon in various countries around the world where public smoking is banned.