The health minister of the territory declared that Hong Kong citizens should give disapproving stares to smokers as a way to promote a tobacco-free city. Professor Lo Chung-mau stated that those who light up in no-smoking areas are unlikely to "hit back" if everyone around them gives them disapproving looks. It's an interesting approach to tackle the smoking problem.
From Sky News:
"Cigarettes can harm the health of all of us," Professor Lo told a meeting of the Legislative Council's health service panel on Friday.
"When the members of the public see people smoking in non-smoking areas, even if no law enforcement officers can show up immediately, we can stare at the smokers.
"When someone takes out a cigarette at a restaurant, everyone on the premises can stare at that person. I do not believe that person would dare to hit back at everyone at the restaurant as they are simply staring."
Professor Lo said the behaviour would help to create a "non-smoking culture" in the city.
He continued: "Take queuing at a bus stop as an example. No one will say it requires the law to compel people to queue.
"Our society is able to create a culture where people will comply with this rule of queuing when waiting for buses.
"I hope the whole of society can build a non-smoking culture."
It's funny to notice the cultural difference between our country and China.
Over here in the U.S., if someone lights up a cigarette in public and receives a bunch of glares, they'd probably respond with some expletives rather than quitting smoking.
