Hong Kong - attempt to delay July 1, 2009 smoking ban fails..

May 18, 2009 - Bars, clubs, nightclubs, bathhouses, and massage and mahjong parlors (licensed venue in Hong Kong where people can play mahjong) will be made smoke-free premises when their temporary smoking ban exemption ends July 1, 2009.

League of Social Democrats lawmaker Albert_Chan_Wai-yip, introduced the bill that sought to defer the implementation date of the smoking ban in venues like bars, clubs and mahjong schools (parlors) by two years to July 1, 2011. He said the deferment would help tide those establishments over the current economic downturn.

Legislative Council of Hong Kong president Tsang Yok-sing (Jasper) would not delay the implementation of the bill. In his ruling, Mr Tsang ruled that Mr Chan's bill might not be introduced without the written consent of the chief executive. Mr Chan said yesterday he did not intend to pursue the matter further.

Reference: Attempt to delay smoking ban fails, eddi-bites.blogspot.com, 5/12/2009; Attempt to Delay Smoking Ban Fails - Legco President Rules Out Lawmaker’s Bill, Ng Kang-chung, SCMP, Clear The Air Tobacco Blog, 5/12/2009.

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