2013 Launch CeremonyBack
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) and Radio 1 of Radio Television Hong Kong co-organize the Hong Kong Smoke-free Leading Company Awards 2013. The launch ceremony cum seminar was held on 17 June 2013 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with over 100 representatives from companies and supporting organizations attended the event.
The launch ceremony was officiated by Dr KO Wing-man, BBS, JP (Secretary for Food and Health), Ms Lisa LAU, MH, JP (COSH Chairman), Mr Philip CHOW (Controller (Radio), RTHK), Dr Cindy LAI, JP (Deputy Director of Health), Prof LAM Tai-hing, BBS, JP (Director of School of Public Health, Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health, The University of Hong Kong), Dr Christine WONG (Head of Tobacco Control Office), Prof Patrick WONG, BBS, JP (Chairman of Quit-Winners Club) and Mr Antonio KWONG (COSH Vice-chairman).
“COSH has been urging companies to promote smoke-free workplaces not only to comply with the ordinances, but also to support smoking employees to quit smoking for their well-being. We encourage the management to spread the smoke-free messages to employees, customers, the general public and other stakeholders for a smoke-free Hong Kong.” Ms Lisa LAU, MH, JP, COSH Chairman said. Hong Kong Smoke-free Leading Company Awards 2011 attracted participants from various industries and they shared fruitful experiences of smoke-free policies. Some of the creative ideas like tailor-made smoking cessation video, buddy programme for quitters and specially designed no-smoking sign with corporate image have won full support from employees. Ms LAU invited businesses from all sectors to join the Awards to support smoke-free culture, demonstrate their corporate social responsibility and set a role model for the industry.
Honourable Patron of the Awards, Dr KO Wing-man, BBS, JP, Secretary for Food and Health remarked at the ceremony that 3.7 million working population in Hong Kong spend most of their time at workplaces. It is crucial for companies to set up sustainable smoke-free workplace policies and provide a smoking cessation platform to support employees to kick the habit, which also help enhance the health and efficiency of employees.”
Prof LAM Tai-hing, Mr YIM Kai-ming (former Chairman of Hong Kong Institute of Marketing) and Mr CHAN Wing-luk (host of financial programme) shared ways to enhance corporate efficiency and brand value through caring for employees’ health and promoting smoke-free culture at the seminar. Hospital Authority, The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, Pok Oi Hospital and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals also hosted information booths to introduce their smoking cessation services.