In a bid to create a tobacco-free city, Hong Kong’s administration has adopted an unconventional method to discourage smoking in public areas. The city’s Health Secretary, Professor Lo, addressed the Legislative Council’s health service panel last Friday, urging Hong Kongers to “stare” at smokers disapprovingly, aiming to guilt them into giving up the habit in non-smoking zones. According to Professor Lo, smokers are less likely to “hit back” if faced with disapproving gazes from the public. Lo emphasized that building a non-smoking culture is vital for protecting the health of all citizens.
While the administration plans to strengthen legal measures against smoking, they also seek public cooperation to tackle the issue effectively. The move comes as Hong Kong recently launched a public consultation exercise to gather input for stricter anti-smoking rules. The city currently imposes penalties of HK$1,500 for violations of non-smoking regulations in prohibited areas like restaurants and workplaces. However, enforcing these rules has proven challenging, leading to instances of non-compliance. The Health Secretary believes that public intervention through staring may be effective, especially when law enforcement officers cannot always intervene immediately at the scene of a smoking violation, as the act might have already ceased by then.
Lo drew a parallel between non-smoking culture and the common practice of queuing at bus stops without the need for legal enforcement. He argued that cultural norms could be instrumental in shaping behavior, and similar principles could be applied to create a smoke-free environment. While the proposal may appear unusual, the administration believes that collective disapproval demonstrated through stares could have a profound impact on discouraging smokers from lighting up in non-smoking areas. By harnessing the power of societal norms and values, the hope is to foster a sense of responsibility among citizens to adhere to anti-smoking regulations voluntarily. However, the initiative has raised debates among the public.
Some argue that relying on stares might not be a foolproof method, and stricter enforcement of penalties and better education about the harms of smoking should also be prioritized. Nonetheless, if successful, Hong Kong’s experiment in cultivating a non-smoking culture through disapproving gazes may pave the way for other cities to explore innovative approaches to combat public health issues. As the city progresses with its public consultation exercise, the government aims to strike a balance between legal measures and fostering a culture of responsibility, ultimately striving to create a healthier and smoke-free environment for all citizens.