Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade and providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should inform their supervisors and seek medical help immediately.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     The outreach performance "A Tale of Two Circles" and a sharing session (in Cantonese) of the Community Oral History Theatre Project – Central and Western District will be held at 3pm on July 21 (Saturday) at JC Cube in Tai Kwun. Free tickets with free seating will be distributed from tomorrow (June 21) on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     The Central and Western districts are two important locations on Hong Kong Island, combining the best of East and West. Old Central, characterised by its European influence, was the heart of politics and economic affairs, while old Western district, primarily settled by Chinese people, was a trade port for food products.
 
     More than 20 elderly participants will take part in the show to re-enact their own precious stories. Some of them worked diligently in Central to earn a living; some strived to support their children's schooling, hoping they would become professionals in Central; and some were trained to become craftsmen and set up small businesses in the Western district.
 
     The performance has Ko Tin-lung as the artistic director and Issac Siu as the scriptwriter, director and drama tutor. Free tickets will be distributed from tomorrow (a maximum of two tickets per person) at the following locations:
 
* Nga Yin Association Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council (1/F, Lung Cheung Garden, 26 Praya, Kennedy Town); and
* Enquiry Counter, Hong Kong City Hall Low Block (5 Edinburgh Place, Central).
 
     The Community Oral History Theatre Project – Central and Western District co-organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Chung Ying Theatre Company and the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council was launched in 2017. Through a series of workshops, the project has gathered the personal experiences and valuable recollections of the elderly from Central and Western District. Scripts have been written with the oral information collected, providing an opportunity for the elderly to tell their stories onstage.
 
     Tai Kwun is located at 10 Hollywood Road, Central. For programme enquiries, please call 2591 1300 (LCSD), 8106 8336 (Chung Ying Theatre Company) or 2819 8727 (Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council), or visit
www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/ab/en/OH_central_western_phase4.php.

      

     The Tobacco Control Office (TCO) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 20) reminded the trade and the public that the packets or retail containers of all tobacco products for sale in Hong Kong should only carry the new form of health warnings as set out in the Smoking (Public Health) (Prescribed Information) Order from tomorrow (June 21).

     Taking into account the recommendations of the World Health Organization and overseas experience, the Government amended the legal requirements of the health warnings on packets or retail containers of tobacco products in 2017. Major changes include:

(1) The area of the graphic health warning is required to increase from 50 per cent to at least 85 per cent of two largest surfaces of the packet and of the retail container;
(2) increasing the number of forms of health warning from six to 12; and
(3) incorporating new health warning messages and the smoking cessation hotline number on packets or retail containers of tobacco products.

     The Order came into operation on December 21, 2017, with a transitional period of six months, which ends today.

     To assist the trade to understand the requirements and comply with the Order, the TCO has prepared and distributed a set of guidelines and a DVD with graphical files of the health warnings to the trade. In addition, the TCO issued letters in December 2017, March 2018 and May 2018 to remind stakeholders including retailers regarding the new requirements. The Government will monitor the implementation of the new health warning requirements of tobacco products in the market.

     The DH appeals to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. Smokers who intend to quit smoking can call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183. The hotline is operated by registered nurses, providing professional counselling services on smoking cessation. Cases will be referred to suitable community smoking cessation service providers for follow-up when necessary.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 20) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lo So Shing Beach, Pui O Beach and Tong Fuk Beach in Islands District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.