The fixed penalty system for smoking offences will take effect September 1. The smoking ban will also extend to 48 public transport facilities that day.

Under the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance, enforcement officers will issue a $1,500 fixed penalty notice to anyone who smokes or carries a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe in any designated no-smoking area or public transport carrier. These people must pay within 21 days or face a heavier penalty.

Tobacco control inspectors, Police and specified officers of the Leisure & Cultural Services, Food & Environmental Hygiene and Housing Departments are authorised to issue fixed penalty notices and to enforce smoking bans.

The Tobacco Control Office has drawn up guidelines for anti-smoking enforcement and drafted an operation manual on the fixed penalty system. Enforcement training seminars have been held since March for staff who will enforce the anti-smoking law.

No smoking signs will be displayed at the 48 public transport facilities - areas consisting of termini of two or more modes of public transport or bus termini of two or more specified bus routes. Click here for the list.

The ban has already been enforced in 43 indoor public transport facilities since January 2007. The Government is preparing to designate 130 open-air public transport facilities as no smoking areas.