HONG KONG: The entertainment industry has repeated its plea to government that a smoking ban set to come into effect July 1 could force closure of half their businesses.

The government responded by saying there is no intention to change the tobacco control measures.

Exemptions to the indoor smoking ban at bars and other entertainment venues are set to expire June 30. More than 1,300 bars, bathhouses, massage lounges, nightclubs, clubs with mahjong rooms, and mahjong-tin kau premises will be forced to butt out after that date.

The deferment on the indoor smoking ban was permitted in order to create a transition period to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance which took effect in 2007.

According to a survey of 1,018 people conducted by the Central Policy Unit, about 74 percent supported the sweeping smoking ban in indoor areas and 43 percent said they would be more likely to visit establishments where the smoking ban was in place.

Tobacco Control Office Head Ronald Lam Man-kin said restaurants and karaoke lounges, where the smoking ban already applies, have not seen business impacted adversely.

Business in those establishments increased by about 13 percent last year as compared to 2007, he added.

However, representatives from the entertainment businesses alleged that the extension of the smoking ban would strangle business.

"Our businesses have plunged 30 percent since the financial turmoil. As 90 percent of our customers are smokers, the whole industry will face the risk of closing down if the ban implements," said Lillian Chan Yun-lin, spokesperson for the Entertainment Business Rights Concern Group.

About 140,000 workers in these establishments could become unemployed, she added, yet most of them are unskilled and would find it difficult to look for alternative employment.

Anita To Miu-yu, executive secretary of Hong Kong Bars & Karaoke Rights Advocacy, said the ordinance would drive local customers to nearby cities such as Shenzhen and Macao.

"This could result in a shutdown in more than 50 percent of the entertainment venues," she added.

The concern group urged the government to adopt a model based on overseas legislation allowing exemptions in venues where admission is restricted to adults aged 18 or above, and also to set up smoking areas.

"The government should allow smoking unless cigarettes are totally banned from sale and import," said To.

Lam tried to reassure the industry reps, saying the current lag in their business is a result of hard times for the global economy.

He said the government still hasn't decided whether to permit smoking rooms in the affected venues. But Lam promised that the regulations would not be enforced zealously or punitively.

"According to past experience, the industry would gradually accept it," he said. "The government's stance (to end the exemption on July 1) remains unchanged."

Workshops and seminars would be arranged for the industry to help to deal with customers who smoke. A special inspection team will be formed to enforce the new legislation.

(HK Edition 03/27/2009 page1)