Hong Kong -- A smoking ban in many public places, including some outdoor areas, took effect here yesterday.
The ban covers offices, restaurants, and karaoke lounges as well as beaches, sports grounds, and large portions of parks. Smoking bans in bars, nightclubs, mahjong parlors, and bath houses take effect in July 2009.
Hong Kong joins Singapore as the only other major city in Asia to enact strict anti-smoking laws.
Meanwhile, Belgium prohibited smoking in restaurants as of yesterday, a move that strengthens the smoking ban the country imposed in many other enclosed public places, including offices, in the beginning of last year. The most recent ban does not cover bars and cafes.
The smoking ban in Belgium is part of a trend among European countries to prohibit smoking in public places. Smoking bans in restaurants and bars are in effect in Ireland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Sweden, and Scotland. England plans to ban smoking in enclosed public places beginning July 1; and France will prohibit smoking in restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs beginning Jan. 1, 2008.
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