Hongkonger attacked with knife outside MTR station after dispute over smoking
- Scuffle breaks out after man asks another to stop smoking at a minibus terminus outside exit A2 of Choi Hung MTR station, Post learns
A 22-year-old Hongkonger was attacked with a pocket knife after he asked a 48-year-old man to stop smoking at a minibus terminus in a dispute that left both of them injured.
Police received a report shortly before 10.30pm on Tuesday that the pair were arguing outside exit A2 of Choi Hung MTR station and that the older man attacked the younger.
The two men got into an argument after the younger man asked the other to stop smoking, the Post learned on Wednesday.
The smoker then attacked the 22-year-old, injuring his head and hands. The attacker also suffered injuries to his fingers.
Authorities recently announced plans to ban smoking while lining up in outdoor public areas, which included queues for public transport. The minibus terminus has not been designated as a no smoking area yet, according to the government.
Both men were arrested at the scene for fighting in public and transferred to United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong for treatment. The 48-year-old was also arrested for wounding another person.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the 48-year-old was released on bail as of Wednesday morning, while the younger man remained in hospital.
Authorities have been trying to bring down smoking rates in the city recently, with health chief Lo Chung-mau making heavy-handed comments earlier this month, such as encouraging residents to “stare at” those who pull their cigarettes out in restricted areas.
The government is also set to pass 10 short-term measures by the end of next year to curb smoking in public and discourage the habit.
Among these measures are prohibiting flavoured cigarettes, banning smoking in queues for public transport, expanding non-smoking areas to entrances and exits of schools, elderly care homes and hospitals.
