Circumventing tobacco control and safety policies to promote waterpipe use in smoking venues: the perspective of staff in waterpipe smoking venues

2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2021-056692
Author(s):  
Jung Jae Lee ◽  
Karly Cheuk Yin Yeung ◽  
Man Ping Wang ◽  
Sally Thorne ◽  
Henry Sau Chai Tong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Policy Enforcement ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Interpretive Description ◽  
Waterpipe Smoking ◽  
Venue Staff

ObjectiveTo understand Hong Kong waterpipe smoking (WPS) sales and promotion, including strategies to avoid policy enforcement, from the perspective of WPS venue staff.MethodsQualitative interviews and observations were guided by interpretive description. 20 WPS venue staff who were responsible for preparing and serving waterpipes to patrons and had worked at the bar for at least 3 months were recruited. In-depth semistructured interviews with WPS venue staff were conducted, in addition to covert and participant observations in 10 WPS venues in Hong Kong. Interpretive description involving constant comparative analysis of qualitative data was adopted to facilitate an inductive analytic approach to generate findings.ResultsTwo primary themes emerged from analyses of interview and observation data: strategies to avoid law enforcement, and perceived health and safety concerns linked to working and smoking in waterpipe venues. The findings suggest that many Hong Kong venues may be failing to comply with tobacco control policies and developing strategies to circumvent law enforcement. Moreover, waterpipe preparation, allowance of WPS and burning of charcoal in indoor areas were perceived as negatively affecting the health and safety of staff and customers.ConclusionsThe study provides preliminary evidence indicating the ineffectiveness of current tobacco control policy on WPS. Due to its risks to health and safety, and the need to sustain tobacco control efforts for their intended purpose, waterpipe-specific regulations and stricter surveillance on waterpipe sales and promotion are urgently required.

scholarly journals The Fine Line: Rural Justice, Public Health and Safety, and the Coronavirus Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 000276422110031
Author(s):  
Jennifer Sherman ◽  
Jennifer Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Personal Liberty ◽  
Local Law Enforcement ◽  
Local Law ◽  
Sheriff's Department ◽  
Public Health And Safety

In this article, we provide an early glimpse into how the issues of public health and safety played out in the rural United States during the coronavirus pandemic, focusing on Washington State. We utilize a combination of news articles and press releases, sheriff’s department Facebook posts, publicly available jail data, courtroom observations, in-depth interviews with those who have been held in rural jails, and interviews with rural law enforcement staff to explore this theme. As elected officials, rural sheriffs are beholden to populations that include many who are suspicious of science, liberal agendas, and anything that might threaten what they see as individual freedom. At the same time, they expect local law enforcement to employ punitive measures to control perceived criminal activity in their communities. These communities are often tightly knit, cohesive, and isolated, with high levels of social support both for community members and local leaders, including sheriffs and law enforcement. This complex social context often puts rural sheriffs and law enforcement officers in difficult positions. Given the multiple cross-pressures that rural justice systems faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we explore the circumstances in which they attempted to protect and advocate for the health and safety of both their incarcerated and their nonincarcerated populations. We find that certain characteristics of rural communities both help and hinder local law enforcement in efforts to combat the virus, but these characteristics typically favor informal norms of social control to govern community health. Thus, rural sheriff’s departments repeatedly chose strategies that limited their abilities to protect populations from the disease, in favor of appearing tough on crime and supportive of personal liberty.

Contemporary Practice of the United States Relating to International Law

1997 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-517
Author(s):  
Marian Nash (Leich)
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
International Law ◽  
The United States ◽  
People’S Republic Of China ◽  
People's Republic Of China ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
The Government ◽  
Contemporary Practice

On March 3,1997, President William J. Clinton transmitted to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification as a treaty the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Hong Kong for the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders, signed at Hong Kong on December 20,1996. In his letter of transmittal, President Clinton pointed out that, upon its entry into force, the Agreement would “enhance cooperation between the law enforcement communities of the United States and Hong Kong, and … provide a framework and basic protections for extraditions after the reversion of Hong Kong to the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China on July 1, 1997.” The President continued: Given the absence of an extradition treaty with the People’s Republic of China, this Treaty would provide the means to continue an extradition relationship with Hong Kong after reversion and avoid a gap in law enforcement. It will thereby make a significant contribution to international law enforcement efforts.The provisions of this Agreement follow generally the form and content of extradition treaties recently concluded by the United States. In addition, the Agreement contains several provisions specially designed in light of the particular status of Hong Kong. The Agreement’s basic protections for fugitives are also made expressly applicable to fugitives surrendered by the two parties before the new treaty enters into force.

scholarly journals EFEKTIVITAS PENEGAKAN HUKUM TERHADAP PRODUSEN MAKANAN DI INDONESIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (02) ◽  
pp. 146-161
Author(s):  
Ruli Purnamasari ◽  
Solihan Solihan ◽  
Viyola Azzahra
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Consumer Protection ◽  
Criminal Responsibility ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Legal Research ◽  
Consumer Protection Act ◽  
Food Law ◽  
Law Enforcement Officials

Abstrak   Efektivitas penegakan hukum terhadap produsen makanan berbahaya menuju Indonesia Sehat 2025 tersebut didasarkan apabila pelaku usaha memproduksi dan memperdagangkan produk makanan yang mengandung bahan kimia serta membahayakan kesehatan dan keselamatan konsumen, maka pelaku usaha/produsen melanggar Undang-Undang Nomor 36 Tahun 2009 tentang Kesehatan, Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2012 tentang Pangan, Undang-Undang Nomor 8 Tahun 1999 tentang perlindungan Konsumen.  Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian hukum normative yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui Faktor yang mempengaruhi terhadap efektivitas penegakan hukum terhadap produsen makanan berbahaya menuju Indonesia Sehat 2025. Faktor hukumnya, yaitu lemahnya sanksi terhadap pelanggarnya, proses penanganan masalah berbelit-belit, kurang profesionalnya para aparatur penegak hukum dan kurangnya koordinasi antar penegak hukum. Tanggung jawab pidana produsen terhadap kerugian yang diderita konsumen akibat makanan berbahaya yang diproduksi, dipasarkan, ditawarkan dan diperdagangkannya, secara yuridis, dalam konsepsi Undang-Undang Perlindungan Konsumen dan peraturan perundang-undangan terkait lainnya.   THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ON FOOD MANUFACTURERS IN INDONESIA   Abstract   The effectiveness of law enforcement against dangerous food producers towards Healthy Indonesia 2025 is based on if business actors produce and trade food products that contain chemicals and endanger the health and safety of consumers, then the business actor/producer violates Law Number 36 of 2009 concerning Health, Law No. Law Number 18 of 2012 concerning Food, Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection. This research is a normative legal research that aims to determine the factors that influence the effectiveness of law enforcement against producers of dangerous food towards Healthy Indonesia 2025. The legal factors are the weakness of sanctions against violators, the process of handling problems is complicated, the lack of professionalism of law enforcement officials and the lack of coordination between law enforcement. The producer's criminal responsibility for the loss suffered by the consumer due to the dangerous food produced, marketed, offered and traded, legally, in the conception of the Consumer Protection Act and other relevant laws and regulations.   Keywords: Effectiveness, Law Enforcement, Food Producers

Compulsory Treatment in the Community in Hong Kong

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-89
Author(s):  
Urania Chiu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Patients ◽  
Conditional Discharge

This article examines the current legal framework and practice of the conditional discharge of mental health patients in Hong Kong under Section 42B of the Mental Health Ordinance from a human rights perspective. Using existing literature and findings from semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with medical professionals, the author argues that the current regime lacks adequate safeguards for mental health patients, both in law and in actual practice, and suffers from the absence of a clear guiding purpose. As such, the law and practice of conditional discharge would most likely infringe patients’ fundamental rights to private and family life and to liberty and personal security. The article concludes with the suggestion that an evidence-based approach is required to determine the purpose of the regime and how it may be best designed for that end.

scholarly journals “Tell them you smoke, you’ll get more breaks”: a qualitative study of occupational and social contexts of young adult smoking in Scotland

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e023951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Delaney ◽  
Andrew MacGregor ◽  
Amanda Amos
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Smoking Behaviour ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Work Breaks ◽  
Smoking Uptake ◽  
Perceived Desirability

ObjectiveTo explore young adults’ perceptions and experiences of smoking and their smoking trajectories in the context of their social and occupational histories and transitions, in a country with advanced tobacco control.DesignIndepth qualitative interviews using day and life grids to explore participants’ smoking behaviour and trajectories in relation to their educational, occupational and social histories and transitions.SettingScotland.ParticipantsFifteen ever-smokers aged 20–24 years old in 2016–2017.ResultsParticipants had varied and complex educational/employment histories. Becoming and/or remaining a smoker was often related to social context and educational/occupational transitions. In several contexts smoking and becoming a smoker had perceived benefits. These included getting work breaks and dealing with stress and boredom, which were common in the low-paid, unskilled jobs undertaken by participants. In some social contexts smoking was used as a marker of time out and sociability.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that while increased tobacco control, including smokefree policies, and social disapproval of smoking discourage smoking uptake and increase motivations to quit among young adults, in some social and occupational contexts smoking still has perceived benefits. This finding helps explain why smoking uptake continues into the mid-20s. It also highlights the importance of policies that reduce the perceived desirability of smoking and that create more positive working environments for young adults which address the types of working hours and conditions that may encourage smoking.

scholarly journals Challenges of enforcing cell phone use while driving laws among police: a qualitative study

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 494-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Marie Rudisill ◽  
Adam D Baus ◽  
Traci Jarrett
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Cell Phone Use ◽  
The Usa

BackgroundCell phone use while driving laws do not appear to be heavily enforced in the USA. This study seeks to gain law enforcements’ perspective and learn potential barriers to cell phone law enforcement.MethodsQualitative interviews (ie, focus groups) were conducted with officers (N=19) from five West Virginia law enforcement agencies. The officers who participated were >18 years of age, sworn into their departments and employed in law enforcement for >1 year. Focus group sessions lasted 45–60 min and followed a standardised, pilot-tested script. These sessions were audio recorded and transcribed. Qualitative content analysis was employed among three researchers to determine themes surrounding enforcement.ResultsFour themes emerged including current culture, the legal system, the nature of police work and issues with prevention. Specific barriers to enforcement included cultural norms, lack of perceived support from courts/judges, different laws between states, the need for a general distracted driving law, unclear legislation, officers’ habits and perceived risk, wanting to maintain a positive relationship with the public, not being able to see the driver (impediments of vehicle design, time of day), phones having multiple functions and not knowing what drivers are actually doing, risk of crashing during traffic stops and lack of resources. Prevention activities were debated, and most felt that technological advancements implemented by cell phone manufacturers may deter use.ConclusionsNumerous barriers to cell phone law enforcement exist. Legislation could be amended to facilitate enforcement. Prevention opportunities exist to deter cell phone use while driving.

scholarly journals Waterpipe smoking among university students in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Jae Lee ◽  
Yongda Wu ◽  
Man Ping Wang ◽  
Karly Cheuk-Yin Yeung ◽  
Janet Yuen-Ha Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Waterpipe Smoking ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals A mixed-methods study on toilet hygiene practices among Chinese in Hong Kong

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Tai Pong Lam ◽  
Hoi Yan Chan ◽  
Kwok Fai Lam ◽  
Xu Dong Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Improvement Measures ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Public Toilets

Abstract Background Public toilets are a common transmission vector of infectious diseases due to environmental contamination. Research on Chinese people’s hygiene practices in public lavatories are lacking. This study examined Chinese people’s hygiene practices in public lavatories in Hong Kong. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews and a self-administered questionnaire survey with local residents from June 2016 to April 2018. Four focus group discussions and three individual interviews informed the design of the questionnaire. We recruited interviewees and survey respondents via social service centers. The interviews and questionnaire focused on the public’s daily practices and hygiene behaviors in public toilets. Content analysis of qualitative data was conducted. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the association between age and toilet hygiene behaviors. Results Our qualitative component revealed a range of handwashing practices, from not washing at all, washing without soap, to washing for a longer time than instructions. Other toilet use practices were identified, such as not covering toilet lid before flushing and stepping on toilet seats due to dirtiness, and spitting into toilet bowls or hand basin. Totally, 300 respondents completed the questionnaire. Among them, 212 (70.9%) were female and 246 (86.1%) were aged 65 or below. More than two thirds always washed hands with soap (68.7%) and dried hands with paper towels (68.4%). Up to 16.2% reported stepping on toilet seats and 43.9% never covered the toilet lid before flushing. Over one fourth (26.4%) spit into squat toilets/ toilet bowl. Regression analyses showed that the elderly group were less likely to report stepping on toilet seats (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 0.17, 95%CI 0.03–0.88), flushing with the toilet lid closed (AOR = 0.40, 0.16–0.96), but more likely to spit into squat toilets/ toilet bowl (AOR = 4.20, 1.50–11.74). Conclusions Hong Kong Chinese’s compliance to hygiene practices in public toilets is suboptimal. Stepping on toilet seat is a unique Chinese practice due to the dirtiness of toilet seats. Spitting practices may increase the risk of airborne infectious diseases and need improvement. Measures are needed to improve toilet hygiene behaviors, including public education campaigns and keeping toilet environment clean.

Addressing tent cities: an example of police/non-profit collaboration

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 931-943
Author(s):  
Brittany Solensten ◽  
Dale Willits
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Police Department ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Non Profit Organizations ◽  
The City

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine a collaborative relationship between non-profit organizations and a Midwest police department to address issues of poverty and homelessness. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative interviews were conducted with five non-profit organization workers along with three police officers about social problems in the city between September and December of 2017. Findings The collaboration between non-profit organizations and law enforcement was largely helpful and successful in integrating residents of tent city into existing housing programs within the city, limiting future law enforcement calls addressing latent homelessness issues. Research limitations/implications This qualitative study was exploratory in nature and data were drawn from a single city. Although key stakeholders were interviewed, results are based on a small sample of police and non-profit social service workers. Also, individuals who lived in the tent city were not interviewed. Practical implications This study demonstrates how an approach in addressing tent cities through non-profit organizations and law enforcement collaboration are arguably effective in humanely moving residents of tent cities into housing for a long-term solution to homelessness. Originality/value There is limited research about tent cities especially the long-term effectiveness of dismantling them with various methods. This paper demonstrates one city’s approach to combat homelessness by dismantling a tent city, with a follow-up a few years later showing the effectiveness of a more humane approach, which can set an example for future cities also combating homelessness.

Comparing high and low performers for noise control

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikki Bell ◽  
Jennifer Lunt ◽  
Jennifer Webster ◽  
Tim Ward
Keyword(s):  
Noise Control ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Small Magnitude ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety Attitudes ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Social Environmental

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dimensions that distinguish high from low performing manufacturing companies in Great Britain with respect to controlling noise. The findings should assist regulators and industry to develop interventions that help organisations to effectively manage noise, particularly amongst the low performers. Design/methodology/approach – The research uses quantitative and qualitative methods. Survey data was obtained from 215 manufacturers and supplemented with 15 qualitative interviews to assess performance and individual, social, environmental and organisational influences on duty holders' decision making for controlling noise. Findings – Relative to low performers, decision makers from high performing companies had: greater in-depth knowledge of noise risks and controls; taken steps to promote positive health and safety attitudes and values; were large companies; and faced fewer resource barriers (time, costs, staffing). Managers in small, low performing companies sought simple interventions with a practical focus. Research limitations/implications – The differences reported between high and low performing companies showed a small magnitude of effect but these are considered significant in a health and safety context. Practical implications – Improvements in training and education, and addressing workplace health and safety culture, are recommended as offering most potential to raise the standard of noise control. Originality/value – To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to systematically assess the specific knowledge, attitudes, values and beliefs that employers hold about noise and the influence of social, environmental and organisational factors on manager’s decisions about noise controls.

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