Wet market stall owners, for example, are not members. Neither are the thousands of independent shops to be found in every neighbourhood, nor members of organisations such as the Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy, which initiated its own campaign to cut down on bag consumption.

Nor do we have any way to authenticate the association's figure, as individual members would regard the number of bags they issue as an indication of their turnover and therefore a commercial secret.

While the association's voluntary programme is a step in the right direction, it does not work with selfish shoppers who refuse to acknowledge their civic responsibilities so a user-pays programme is the only solution.

Regarding the disposal of waste, we are not going to rush out and buy heavy black plastic bags as Mr Chu implies.

Citizens will become more inventive and start to think outside the box.

By carefully removing the wrapping on purchases one can have a stock of bin bags in all shapes and sizes.

Large quantities of plastic courier bags are dumped in offices every day, for example. We will not go without.

The ultimate aim of the bag levy is to reduce consumption in all sectors but it will be launched initially at selected stores with a citywide presence and more sophisticated register systems in place. Once the bag levy is up and running, the next step will be the reduction of unnecessary packaging.

Mr Chu and his anti-levy buddies should face reality and accept the inevitable. The dinosaurs had their day and so will the wasters.

Martin Brinkley, Ma Wan

What do you think of the Tramways deal?

Hongkong Tramways, with its long history of serving Hong Kong people, has become an icon in the city. It is popular with citizens and with tourists. Taking a ride on the tram is part of our collective memory. Trams have survived through all Hong Kong's changes.

I can understand why Wharf (Holdings) would sell a stake in the business to another company, Veolia Transport, that has the necessary expertise to operate the trams. It also makes sense given the financial turmoil we are going through.

The tram service operates in part of Hong Kong Island, therefore, its service is limited.

I hope the new company will consider extending it to other parts of Hong Kong, especially given the fact that more people are now concerned about air pollution.

The most important thing is that the tram service is preserved. I do not think the new owners should institute any dramatic changes.

They must recognise how important it is to the people of Hong Kong.

I am sure that Hongkongers will welcome Veolia Transport, if it provides a better service and at the same time preserves the unique characteristics of the trams.

Erwin Chau, Shau Kei Wan

What do you think of the quality of local soccer?

Local soccer was very popular about 20 years ago. This was because in those days, people could not get live broadcasts of matches from the top leagues in Europe. Therefore, soccer fans chose to watch local matches. However, the number of local supporters has declined.

Hong Kong people now tend to watch and support soccer games from countries such as England, Spain and Italy. It is easy for them to watch the live matches. Also, now they can legally place bets on the matches.

Therefore, it is no longer so attractive for a Hongkonger to buy a ticket to go and see a local team.

Inevitably the income of Hong Kong teams must decrease. Good players will tend to leave the city and play elsewhere.

I do not believe there is any corruption inside the local game. Perhaps it is just a misunderstanding.

We need to look at ways of improving soccer in the city. I do not think there should be a Hong Kong league with its own competition and cups.

We are just a city inside a country. We should rather form a few teams and join in the main Chinese league. This is similar to the leagues in Europe, where you may have a number of teams from one city who play in the country's league set-up.

Soccer clubs would still make some money at the gates from playing their home games in Hong Kong. If we get high-quality players producing impressive soccer at matches, then I think the Hong Kong supporters will come back.

R. Hau, Kowloon Bay

Without having actually watched the game in question and without access to detailed match reports and video highlights, it is not possible for people like Wouter van Marle (Talkback, April 9) to make any judgment for or against local soccer.

In fact, it is unfair for anyone to take one league cup final as representative of Hong Kong soccer.

It would be better to watch at least several months of soccer and different teams during the season before a reasonable judgment can be made of the current local soccer scene.

However, I agree with the constructive comments from Frank Brown (Talkback, April 7), Toby Rosner and Jacky Kwok (Talkback, April 8).

Improved sponsorship, better media coverage, particularly in the English-language media, and incentives to encourage people, especially the younger generation, to attend regularly, would no doubt help the redevelopment of soccer in Hong Kong.

Will Lai, Western

Is the rise in the cost of textbooks justified?

I think the increases are justified simply because the textbooks are getting thicker and contain more information.

Having core textbooks makes it easier to find information.

I am currently at university and I recently paid about HK$400 for my three core textbooks, on top of my university fees, so I know these books are pricey.

However, I think that consideration must be given to people on low incomes who may not be able to afford the many textbooks they have to buy for the courses that are compulsory and for the courses they choose to take. A system that we have at university where students share books might help low-income families. These students should be allowed to reach their potential.

Amy Reed, Jardine's Lookout

How can the King of Kowloon's calligraphy be saved?

Calligraphy has long been a tradition in Hong Kong and the 'King of Kowloon' Tsang Tsou Choi is famous for his calligraphy. It is now under threat because of the weather and I share the concerns of many Hongkongers over the deteriorating condition of his work.

It is part of his heritage and it should be preserved. Scientists should investigate ways of preserving it and this should be seen as a priority. And we should ensure there is a photographic record of his calligraphy.

I lived in Kowloon with my grandparents when I was young, and so his work is important to me and it is irreplaceable. His work is unique and I do not want to see it lost forever.

Jennifer Lau Suet-kan, Tai Po