Anti-smoking squads hired as Hong Kong extends cigarette ban

Hong Kong - A team of nearly 100 anti-smoking officers is toenforce a new ban on cigarettes at outdoor public transport interchanges in Hong Kong, a government official said Monday.

Hong Kong, which has already banned smoking in many outdoor areas including public parks and sports venues, is to extend the ban to outdoor public transport interchanges before the end of the year.

A team of 99 tobacco control inspectors with the power to issue spot fines of 1,500 Hong Kong dollars (193 US dollars) is to enforce the ban, Tobacco Control Office chief Ronald Lam said.

The officers are to patrol 130 outdoor interchanges where bus and train networks meet to ensure the ban is observed, Lam told the South China Morning Post.

Hong Kong has one of the region's toughest anti-smoking laws with cigarettes banned in all bars, nightclubs, restaurants and mahjong parlours. Around 13 per cent of Hong Kong adults are reported to be smokers.