About 57% of people say they have less exposure to second-hand smoke in public places, showing last year's Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance amendments have worked well, Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says.

Taking questions in the Legislative Council today Dr Chow said the Census & Statistics Department's Thematic Household Survey found the percentage of daily smokers aged 15 or above fell from 14% between February and May 2005 to 11.8% between December 2007 and March 2008. Meanwhile, smokers aged 15 to 19 fell from 3.5% to 2.4%.

From July 1 smoking will stop in establishments currently temporarily exempted from the smoking ban, which he said will further cut public exposure to second-hand smoke.

The Government will also introduce a fixed penalty system for smoking offences next year.