Parks and beaches could become smoke-free zones of Hong Kong next year, alongside indoor venues and working places, according to the newly revised anti-smoking bill of HK government.

 

The legislators added parks and beaches to the controversial anti-smoking bill last Friday. The Legislative Council bills committee on the Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Bill agreed to the amendment at the end of 15 months' deliberation on the bill.

 

The committee's chairman Andrew Cheng Kar-foo said he was confident the full council would pass the amendment, but catering sector legislator Tommy Cheung Yu-yan said the amendment extended the bill beyond its original intent.

 

The bill is due to go through its second and third readings on Oct. 18.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2006)