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Hong Kong issues 21 fixed fines in first week of no-smoking ban

Authorities inspected about 530 construction sites since the July 17 ban began, issuing 21 fixed-penalty notices and also issuing five improvement notices to contractors.

Reported · Written up by our desk · China

Hong Kong authorities have issued 21 fixed-penalty notices in the first six days after a citywide ban on smoking at construction sites took effect on July 17, the area’s labour commissioner said, adding that the situation was “not ideal.”

Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum said authorities inspected about 530 construction sites during the period. In addition to the 21 fixed-penalty tickets, officials issued five improvement notices to contractors, and one case is currently being evaluated as potential evidence for prosecution.

Authorities also issued about 300 written and verbal warnings and suggestions, mostly related to whether basic no-smoking measures were properly managed, including the clarity of site boundaries and posted notices.

The ban was introduced after the November fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate that killed 168 people and was suspected to have been caused by workers smoking while carrying out renovations, according to SCMP Economy.

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