bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

What do you think about the food labelling law?
The article on the proposed nutritional labelling law ('Labelling laws threat to product diversity, says top US envoy', April 15), states that only 2.5 per cent of products will be affected, but fails to point out that this translates to 75 per cent of the healthy products relied on by Hong Kong local and expatriate residents and business visitors.
If 'low fat' cannot be claimed, then only high fat will remain.
This is in the worst interests of Hong Kong residents.
It can be remedied simply by extending the small-volume exemption to packaged foods that contain nutritional claims.
Hundreds of us have written letters and even signed petitions  asking the government to make this one small amendment to the law, to ensure that healthy products remain available to all residents of Hong Kong.
I urge the government to make this change before the proposal becomes law.
Jane Buck, Central
The government's food labelling law is flawed. Although most of the food products available put nutritional facts on their labels, I believe much of the information is misleading for consumers.
One example is the 'low sugar' label on the packaging of drinks. Consumers do not know exactly how low the sugar level is in those drinks and some studies have found that there are some 'low sugar' drinks that contain a high sugar content. Given that we live in a society where the emphasis is on being healthy and slim, many customers would be attracted by such a label.
Recently, some nutritionists raised the problem of trans-fat, which they say increases the chance of people suffering  from  heart disease.
Most of the snacks we eat contain a high amount of trans-fat, so the government should force food companies to list the level of trans-fat contained in their food products. This is to ensure buyers are able to make an educated choice when they are looking for healthy food.
Becky Chan, Sau Mau Ping
Should the tax on tobacco be increased?
When you are out in the streets of Hong Kong, you will see a lot of smokers.
I think the problem related to smoking outdoors has been made worse now that smoking is banned in many venues. This means that when there are a lot of smokers outside in any one place, it is difficult for non-smokers like me to enjoy fresh air.
I am also concerned, from a health point of view, about the effect this can have on non-smokers. Therefore, in order to decrease the prevalence of smoking in Hong Kong, the government should raise the tax on tobacco.
Not only can it prevent smoking-related diseases, but it will also discourage new smokers, especially youngsters, from lighting up.
However, this may not be completely effective. As people's living standards improve, the cost of buying cigarettes will not be that great a drain on people's resources.
Therefore, I would suggest that the Hong Kong government follow the policy launched in Japan, where people are not allowed to smoke in the streets and residential areas. They would only be allowed to smoke in designated areas.
I think this would be the most effective way of dealing with the  smoking problem in Hong Kong.
Liu Ming-ming, Sham Shui Po
On other matters ...
Every time you visit a park in Hong Kong, you see lots of signs near the entrance or inside the park saying you can't do this or you can't do that.  Examples of these are, 'No dogs are allowed' or 'Don't play ball games'.
Why can't people walk their dogs in the park? And why can't they play ball games with their friends?
Maybe the government thinks that people will let their pets relieve themselves in the park or that playing ball games will disturb other users of the park.
However, I do not agree with this. I think the government does not trust the  people of Hong Kong. These 'no' and 'don't' signs are expropriating  residents' rights.
It is ridiculous that there is very little we can actually do in these parks.
Parks were designed for recreational use, which means that people should be able to relax. But how can you relax when all these signs are put up forbidding you from doing things?
In other countries, there are many parks where citizens are free to enjoy the facilities provided. There are no signs like the ones you see in Hong Kong. People have much more freedom.
The government should consider what the parks are for. I think it should allow people more freedom, and trust Hong Kong people to behave  while in the parks.
Tam Ka-ho, Sha Tin
I am concerned about cases of animal cruelty involving young people.  I think this highlights a problem that has to be dealt with. First, the government should make the penalties harsher for people found guilty of animal cruelty. This could act as a deterrent and prevent others from following suit.
Second, education plays a very important role. Students have to be taught to respect the lives of animals.
If a child kills animals and nothing is done, how will  they turn out when they grow up? Could a  child animal-killer become a murderer in later life?
Lam Hiu-chong, Kowloon Tong
There has been some discussion about whether there should be further cuts in MTR fares.
Standing on the side of Hong Kong residents, I think the reduction of MTR fares would be a popular decision.
Actually, such a move would have several benefits. First, let us compare the fares of the MTR and buses: they are more or less the same.
Therefore, even with a small reduction of MTR fares, more people would be encouraged to use the MTR. Since the passenger capacity on MTR trains is far more than a bus travelling on the same route, this could help ease transport problems on our roads.
Also, the cost implications for the MTR Corporation would not be that serious. As I understand it, most of the MTR's income comes from its property development, such as rental of shops on its property.
Tiffany Ho Sin-yu, Lam Tin



Talkback