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Junk food popularity poses risks
The population of Hong Kong  is ageing fast. A generally unhealthy diet and  lifestyle could worsen the situation, with more people not even reaching old age but developing illnesses commonly associated with the elderly.
The most common illnesses among  these people will be heart disease, diabetes and stroke. 
We should tackle these health issues on all fronts.
A community-wide action programme should be in place to promote a healthy diet and  lifestyle. 
Food products linked with obesity or cancer should be heavily taxed.  
Regulations should be in force requiring fast-food chains to provide customers with healthy alternatives to their usual menus. And there should be warnings displayed about the risks of eating too many fast-food products. Their menus should contain clear nutritional value labels with traffic-light-style warnings.
If we continue to do nothing and let junk food dishes become more popular with children, our society will pay a high price.  
I would like students to become involved in a community care programme. This would make them more aware of Hong Kong's ageing population and the problems that the elderly encounter here.  
There should be more discussion of this issue in our schools.  
If pupils became involved in these community programmes, they would think more about health issues and the importance of cherishing life. 
They would also become more aware of the values that matter in our society.  
Also, I think elderly citizens would benefit from this kind of interaction. Young people could help old people with activities such as tai chi.  
If we are going to successfully deal with the problems posed by having an ageing population, we need to get the whole community involved.  
Teddy Sik, Lantau
Welcoming new initiative for migrants
A new public housing scheme for low-income groups by the  Beijing municipal government will include migrants among its  beneficiaries for the first time ('Beijing opens public housing to migrants' October 21).    
 This measure is likely to have a profound impact on China in respect of its international status, population structure and its  economic development. 
The impression that China is a developing country with little emphasis on human rights  is deeply rooted in the minds of many people. 
They feel that officials do not care about the social welfare of migrants as they are not seen as genuine citizens. 
This concept will be rectified thanks to this new public housing scheme.  
It proves that the country is becoming more liberal and this will lead to an improvement of its image internationally.  
It also sends a message to people from abroad who might think of moving to China to work that they can a enjoy a good living environment.  
The country faces a long-term problem with its ageing population. 
If it can bring in more migrants, they can help with any loss of manpower as more workers retire.  
It is important for the country to attract migrants with professional training and they would have to know that there was a comprehensive social welfare package to be tempted to come to China.  
Thomas Au Tak-kin, Sham Tseng
Organise two swims across the harbour
Following the obvious success of the cross-harbour swim on Sunday, October 16, I see there is talk of increasing the field for next year.
Unlike a marathon running race, an open water swim event has wholly different safety considerations.
I think the  Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association could save itself a lot of trouble if it made a clear division between those people who simply want  to complete the crossing and those who want to race and compete.
Why not have two events? There would be the cross- harbour race for serious competitive swimmers who would complete the course in, say, under 50 minutes.
This would be followed by  the mass participation cross- harbour swim for family groups and recreational swimmers who simply wanted to complete the crossing and perhaps receive a finisher's certificate to confirm this.
I think this format would increase safety and satisfy the aspirations and expectations of the vast majority of our active population.
Ian Polson, Mid-Levels
Lawmakers could focus on recycling
I read the report on yet another row between our legislators, this time over funding for court action, including the judicial review on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai- Macau bridge  ('Row over funding of court battles', October 20).  
While I appreciate possible irregularities need to be addressed, would it not be nice if our lawmakers could apply the same enthusiasm to constructive issues? 
Perhaps I can suggest one topic they can use their valuable time to work and debate on - how to promote and implement recycling in Hong Kong.
In other  places with developed economies, recycling is part of a household's domestic routine, but not so here. 
The facilities are far from satisfactory. The recycling bins in the corner of  my street are  always full, forcing people to place items on the side. I understand the recycling industry is struggling, without much government  support. 
I am sure if our  legislators and a few designated  officials would use the same zeal and energy on this, the problem could be swiftly solved.  After this, perhaps they can tackle the very serious issue of air quality in a systematic way. 
They like to talk about  working 'for the people of Hong Kong'. It is time for them to be constructive.  
Kelly Lam, Central
Shortage of public niches can be solved
The reason so many illegal columbariums are appearing in Hong Kong is because of a lack of public niches. 
 Because citizens cannot get a public niche for their relatives, they have no choice but to turn to unauthorised operators.  
In my opinion, there are only two ways for the government to deal with this problem.
It should provide more public niches so people no longer have to turn to illegal operators. It can also offer more licences to those people running private columbariums, provided it is satisfied that they are suitable applicants.
Once there are more legal niches, the shortage problem in the city will be solved.  
Fung Wing-man, Tsuen Wan



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