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SCMP Reporter

Q What can be done to reverse the junk food culture among teenagers?

One thing the government could do to reverse the junk food culture among children  is to get rid of the vending machines that can be found in almost every school in this city.

We all know that carbonated and sugar-filled juices and sports drinks are bad, bad, bad.

Why, then, are they still being sold at our schools and guzzled down by our school children? Hello! Time to trash the vending machines and force the canteens to sell water, milk and juices with no added sugar.

Teaching our children to make correct choices is fine,  but then why do we continue selling them these kinds of poison?

James Warren, Tsz Wan Shan

Q How can poor telecom services be tackled?

I totally agree with this article. It seems very difficult to terminate  an existing contract and  difficult to talk  to a person on the phone;  a machine always answers. And you cannot  get a short-term contract, the shortest is  18 months. The companies  also never notify the client of the contract termination date.

The authority should set  guidelines to protect  consumers  - such as advance notification from service providers to renew or terminate the contract.

Thet Oo,  Quarry Bay

Q How can transport safety measures be improved?

The main  problem  is  escalator accidents and people falling  from the platform onto the tracks.  The present speed of escalators for mass transit systems is generally higher than  others to optimise passenger flow. This is fine for young  people, but  the elderly may require a slower speed.

Perhaps the MTR Corp and KCRC should provide a dedicated escalator for the elderly that  is slower.

There is only one  way to stop people falling from platforms - install platform screen doors or platform gates similar to those at Yan Oi (Disney) station.

Koo Kwok-hung,

Mei Foo Sun Chuen

Q Should the telephone poles in Clear Water Bay be removed?

Of course not. The poles were put up with a view to enlarging the coverage of the telecommunication network,  so that hikers who may be in danger and need help  can call someone. They should be a priority. It is Hutchison's duty and social responsibility.

Scenery  or safety, which one is  more important?

To pull down all the poles now would be a waste of money and human resources.

Wong Ka-kan, Tuen Mun

Q Should the government co-ordinate the supply of flu vaccines?

Definitely. A new type of flu may cause an epidemic in the near future. The government has  a responsibility to defend Hong Kong's citizens.  The city has no natural resources,  only smart human resources.

The new virus is  a potential threat to Hong Kong's health system.

The government must co-operate with the mainland to get accurate and first-hand information on the new flu strain. Universities with  medical facilities on both sides of the border must collaborate to monitor the new virus.Only the government can provide a reliable, cheap and good-quality vaccine.

The government must act to make sure that happens.

Calvin Tang, Sheung Wan

On other matters...

Your CitySeen column made an intelligent fusion of two recent surveys and concluded that in Hong Kong your life is safe but your wallet is not (from unscrupulous tourist shops).

However, this theory is reversed on our roadways. There, your wallet is safe and your life is not. Look at all those armoured vans that transport cash and valuables. They all have CCTV installed  so that they have eyes in the back and  to protect their  cargo. They are following   instructions from insurance companies.

It seems our Transport Department and lawmakers do not value the lives of pedestrians. They are worried about the additional expense  it will cost truckers. Therefore they are dragging their feet on  the issue.

They should have already passed the law about CCTV if they really valued life.

Nalini Daswani, Tsim Sha Tsui



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