Activities

2011 Awards Presentation Ceremony “Hong Kong Smoke-free Leading Company Awards 2011” awards presentation ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 14 March 2012. The Officiating Guests of the ceremony were Dr York Y N CHOW, GBS, JP (Former Secretary for Food and Health), Dr Thomas TSANG, JP (Former Controller, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health), Ms Lisa LAU, MH, JP (COSH Chairman) and Prof. Sophia Chan (Former COSH Vice-Chairman), Mr Andrew YUEN (General Committee Member of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce), Prof LAM Tai-hing, BBS, JP (Director of School of Public Health, Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health, The University of Hong Kong), and Prof Patrick WONG, BBS, JP (Chairman of Quit-Winners Club).   Ms Lisa LAU, MH, JP, Chairman of COSH said, “Companies play a leading role in promoting smoke-free culture. They can show their concerns on the health of their staffs through helping them to quit smoking. At the same time, these companies can influence other enterprises, especially those from the customer services sector, or even make an impact on the public.” Therefore, she recommended the awardees to carry on its social responsibility to lead the business sector, and take the initiative to support smoke-free culture in order to build a healthy and smoke-free Hong Kong.   Over 200 representatives from the awarded companies and organizations participated the awards presentation ceremony. COSH prepared a premiere video and showed on the ceremony, which vividly introduced the ingenious smoke-free measures adopted by the awardees. Moreover, COSH invited artist Ms Jade Kwan to share tips from her relatives about how to quit smoking. Also, she made a strong appeal to the smokers to say NO to cigarette without hesitation. In addition, the well-known financial commentators, Mr. CHAN Wing Luk and Prof. LAM Tai-hing were invited to introduce, with laughter and giggles in between, the earnings of the investment on health. They received a burst of applause from the guests and the representatives of the enterprises and organizations.   The awarded companies and organizations were presented with trophies or certificates as recognition. The logo of the awards could also be used on their company websites and promotion materials for demonstrating their corporate social responsibility and support to smoke-free culture.   Please click here to view the video introducing the smoke-free measures adopted by the awardees of Hong Kong Smoke-free Leading Company Awards 2011. 2011 Launch Ceremony Hong Kong Smoke-free Leading Company Awards 2011 was kicked off on 26 September 2011 in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and attracted some 20 companies’ representatives to join. The launch ceremony was officiated by Dr York Y N CHOW, GBS, JP (Former Secretary for Food and Health), Ms Lisa LAU, MH, JP (COSH Chairman), Dr Anthony WU, GBS, JP (Former Chairman of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce), Dr LAM Ping-yan, JP (Former Director of Health), Prof LAM Tai-hing, JP (Director of School of Public Health, Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health, The University of Hong Kong), Mr Bernard Charnwut CHAN, GBS, JP (President of Asia Financial Holdings Ltd.), Prof Patrick WONG, BBS, JP (Chairman of Quit-Winners Club) and Mr KWOK Chun-on (2011 Smoking Cessation Ambassador).   "COSH has been actively working on promotion of smoking cessation after the extension of designated no smoking areas to public indoor areas and workplace in 2007 for the sake of public health. This year, COSH is organizing "Hong Kong Smoke-free Leading Company Awards" with an aim to promote smoke-free culture and smoking cessation among businesses and their employees, for a smoke-free Hong Kong." Ms Lisa LAU, MH, JP, COSH Chairman said. The Chairman also recommended businesses from all sectors to participate in the Awards and set a role model in the industry.   Honourable Patron Dr York Y N CHOW, GBS, JP, Former Secretary for Food and Health made an opening remark at the ceremony, “With the support of the community, the smoking prevalence in our population has dropped significantly from 23% in the 1980s to 11.1% now. Notwithstanding the considerable progress made, the Government will continue its effort in promotion of smoking cessation and the fight against this global health epidemic. Nonetheless, the support of the community is crucial to the success of tobacco control.”   Prof LAM Tai-hing, JP (Director of School of Public Health, Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health, The University of Hong Kong) gave a briefing on the benefits of smoke-free workplace. Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Pok Oi Hospital also hosted information booths to introduce their smoking cessation services.