Hard times are no excuse for illegal, on-street advertising

I refer to the report on the removal of illegal on-street advertising, and legislators' reluctance to allow the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to extend the enforcement of some laws to all districts ('Lawmakers baulk at citywide ban on on-street advertising', December 10).

I fully support the increased removal of illegal advertising and promotions. I am a resident of Causeway Bay, where the laws have been better enforced since October, and where there has been a tremendous improvement in the quality of street life, and a general consensus voiced at the district council meeting on October 14 of the public's support of the enforcement. The streets are now clear of the nuisance and obstruction that these illegal advertisements and promotions created. People can walk freely without constantly having to avoid banners and evade aggressive salesmen who block the already overcrowded footpath.

Concerns regarding freedom of speech are unfounded, as there is a transparent application process for any legitimate group wishing to use the public areas. Recent demonstrations in Causeway Bay clearly illustrate the validity of this system. Regarding legislators' attempts to defend their actions considering the tough economic times, it seems these legislators fail to understand that if any business relies on illegal activities for its success, then that business should fail. This applies equally to illegal promotions or illegally adding melamine to milk. The attitude that economic factors somehow justify turning a blind eye to illegal activities is one that must change in this society and our legislators should lead by example.

Additionally, allowing businesses to illegally advertise or promote is anti-competitive to firms that follow the law creating an uneven playing field that favours the worst offenders and punishes good corporate citizens. This is simply not acceptable.

Legislators do not have the power to prevent enforcement of existing laws at their whim; these laws were voted on and passed in a democratic process that must not be simply ignored at the selfish demand of special interest groups and in contravention of the district council.

Michael Agopsowicz, Causeway Bay