Hong Kong lawmakers have passed a controversial tobacco control bill that aims to further lower the city’s smoking rate, with a minister saying the proposed measures have already considered a variety of opinions.
The Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill was passed on Thursday after the second and third readings, following a last-ditch effort by two lawmakers to delay and amend the government-proposed measures earlier this week.
Among the 83 lawmakers who attended the meeting, 74 supported the bill, one opposed it and seven abstained.
“The bill submitted by us to the Legislative Council has already widely included opinions of Legco and different sectors of society,” Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said as he addressed lawmakers.
“It is a smoking control chorus, and a harmony of male and female voices as well as high and low pitches that work together as a song promoting a smokeless Hong Kong.
“The real charisma of an international metropolitan is the sense of happiness that fresh air brings to the public.”
