Firstly, making developers disclose transaction records, price lists and details of units sold within 24 hours gives potential buyers useful and timely information. That helps them to better negotiate with agents for a lower price.

Secondly, several measures ensure the supply of flats for homebuyers is adequate. These include banning internal sales and capping company purchases at 10 per cent of flats in a development.

Flats bought in bulk by companies are usually sold off later at higher prices. And buyers involved in internal sales usually treat the flat as an investment for renting or resale. This limits the chance for genuine homebuyers to buy flats to live in.

The measures imposed by the authority should help relieve the shortage of flats.

Lam Kit-yan

Think hard when choosing a job

Considering the job you want to do after school is a big decision, as you may spend your whole life doing it.

If you can find a job that you like, it will be easy to handle. It will also help you to learn quickly.

This is a momentous decision for your future and you should avoid a job that makes you unhappy. That would bring you pressure and anxiety.

At some point you may want to broaden your experience. You must not be afraid to try other things, even things that you are not good at. If you can do that, you will not be worried when faced with unfortunate situations.

Another important point is your strengths. Many companies are always looking for talented people who are good at multitasking, and are fluent in English and Putonghua. You must also be self-motivated and have strong communication skills. Training courses may be helpful.

There are so many variables and personal preferences to consider. You should have a clear idea of the job you want to pursue and remember there are not many opportunities for everyone.

Coco Suen Hiu-kit, HKMA K.S. Lo College

Smokers should consider others

I am writing in response to the article 'Second-hand cigarette smoke damages children's arteries' (Young Post, March 4).

Second-hand cigarette smoke is really horrible. It can be very damaging to our health. A lot of people smoke in the streets. They are affecting people who are non-smokers. This is not acceptable.

Second-hard cigarette smoke is even more harmful than first-hand cigarette smoke, especially to children and teenagers, since they are still growing and it will harm their lungs. Second-hand smoke causes lung disease and cancer. It also damages our arteries and causes heart attacks.

I think the government should take measures to reduce smoking. For example, it could make cigarettes more expensive or reduce the number of imported cigarettes.

If everyone could stop smoking, our air would become fresher and we would become healthier. We should persuade others not to smoke, to maintain a healthy living environment.

Pang Mei-ki, Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Tuen Mun)

Cutting e-waste

The government has set out sweeping proposals on recycling fees for consumers and vendors.

These changes would see consumers pay more for electronic gadgets. Retailers would be made to take back old appliances, while recycling yards would face regulations over disassembling and storing such waste.

The aim is regulate the recycling and collection of more than 70,000 tonnes of e-waste produced by the city each year. If the plan goes ahead, Hong Kong's environment will be much improved.

Also, fees would be levied to fund the collection and treatment of electronic goods. It would be collected from consumers when they buy or dispose of the appliances.

It would make many consumers think more before buying too many appliances.

Sandy Lok, Pooi To Middle School