Hong Kong held its second smoke-free restaurant open day Wednesday with 320 more food premises on the smoke-free list and prepared for the indoor-area smoking ban to start on Jan, 1, 2007.

 

Deputy Director of Health Leung Ting-hung said more eateries of different size and cuisine have joined the smoke-free restaurant list.

 

Smoke-free restaurant open day started from October to December on 29th of each month to make both restaurants and their customers used to smoke-free practice before the indoor smoking ban's official enforcement next year.

 

Leung said certain trades or businesses may need a longer adaptation period to prepare for the changes and to transform their mode of business.

 

The ban for six types of establishments - designated mahjong rooms, bars, nightclubs, bathhouses, massage establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises - will take effect July 1, 2009.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2006)