Construction Site No Smoking | Sun Yuhan: During inspections, if cigarette butts are found around the site, it is considered a reasonable basis for prosecution

The government recommends designating construction sites as statutory no-smoking areas, with a fixed fine of 3,000 Hong Kong dollars for violators, and contractors can be fined up to 400,000 Hong Kong dollars. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Sun Yuk-han, stated in a radio program that while the government enforces the law reasonably, if inspectors find cigarette butts around the site during inspections, there is reasonable cause to prosecute.

Sun Yuk-han pointed out that the government will not hastily prosecute, and the authorities’ requirement is to take reasonable measures to prevent anyone from smoking on the site.

He mentioned that after the Hong Fu Court fire in Tai Po, there is a strong societal consensus that construction sites should be fully smoke-free. Once the legislation is enacted, even if inspectors do not see anyone smoking during patrols, receiving numerous related complaints and some providing video evidence can lead to prosecutions of employers for failing to implement adequate safety measures to ensure the site is completely smoke-free.

Sun Yuk-han expressed confidence that once these measures are in place, they will enhance the deterrent effect of inspections and complaints.