Non-smoking diners at the Jade Garden in Causeway Bay yesterday welcomed a smoking ban to be imposed next month, saying they would no longer need to put up with second-hand smoke. Robin Wong Man-ho, a frequent customer, said the self-imposed ban by the Maxim's restaurant chain was a good decision and would protect his health and that of other non-smokers. 'Smokers should go out of the restaurant and find a place to smoke if they want,' he said. 'Non-smokers should not be made to suffer from the harm of the second-hand smoke and have their health affected.' He said smoking was not very common in the high-end restaurant in Hysan Avenue but that the ban should be imposed to benefit non-smokers. Another diner, retiree Wong Yiu-hung, said he hated the smell when others smoked in a restaurant. 'I only book a table in the non-smoking area,' he said. 'A smoking ban is good for everyone's health.' However, the ban to be imposed on the two Jade Garden restaurants in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui looked certain to put off some customers who were used to smoking in restaurants. Long-time customer Law Wai-hung said he would find another eatery welcoming smokers from next month. 'I can't stand a Chinese restaurant that prohibits people from smoking,' he said. 'I will look for other restaurants which allow people to smoke until the ban is imposed on all restaurants.' Insurance broker Wu Hon-lung said he would not go to the Jade Garden after the ban took effect. 'Smoking is my little precious time to take a break from my stressful work. It is difficult not to smoke when you are dining at restaurants.' About one-third of the tables in the Jade Garden in Causeway Bay are now devoted to smokers. But the restaurant will be completely smoke-free from next month following the group's decision to adopt a self-imposed ban before the controversial legislation banning lighting up in restaurants takes effect.
