- Hong Kong authorities have proposed a comprehensive ban on smoking across all construction sites.
- The proposal includes significant penalties, such as a HK3,000 fine for individuals and HK3m and a six-month prison sentence for contractors in serious cases.
- This initiative follows a devastating fire in Tai Po in November 2025, which resulted in 168 fatalities.
- Public inquiries into the fire's cause have begun, with a worker smoking a cigarette identified as the likely origin of the blaze.
- The ban aims to reduce fire risks and protect workers from second-hand smoke, with the legislative amendment bill expected to be tabled by mid-2026.
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