The Department of Health has rejected a media report claiming the Director of Health endorsed the Smoking & Health Council chairman's decision to terminate the contract of its Executive Director Dr Leung Kin-ming.

The department said Dr Leung wanted to return to the department to work mainstream duties. The chairman then asked the department to recommend a replacement candidate for the council's consideration.

At a meeting held August 8, the council agreed Dr Leung's employment contract be resolved by mutual agreement. As the council agreed during the same meeting to find a new executive director through open recruitment, it did not interview the candidate recommended. The recruitment advertisement was published August 13.

The department said the council has the authority to decide the best way to appoint its staff. Apart from open recruitment, the council can seek the department's recommendation.