Aterritory-wide surveyconducted by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups found that Singapore and Tokyo werethe top two cities most admired by young people as an ideal living place among ten Asiancities. Although Hong Kong came third, its popularity lags far behind Singapore and Tokyo.On average, respondents gave 5.8 points only as an indicator of the attractiveness of HongKong as an ideal living place. The findings suggest that young people are not quitesatisfied with the living environment of Hong Kong.

    When asked what kinds ofenvironmental problems affected Hong Kong the most, more than 90 per cent of respondentssaid it was the poor air quality, while around 54 per cent said that Hong Kong generatedtoo much rubbish and refuse materials. The third major problem was poor water quality.Respondents rated the Government's performance for arousing public awareness of healthyliving at 5.3 points only, indicating that respondents had reservations about theperformance of the Government in this regard.

        The survey foundthat respondents generally regarded the following habits as major criteria for healthyliving: eating more vegetables than meat, eating fruits everyday, not smoking or drinkingalcohol, maintaining good personal hygiene and exercising regularly. The first threecriteria secured more than 90 per cent of respondents' support.

    However, the survey showed thatthere was a great discrepancy between what respondents thought of as healthy life-styles,and what they actually practiced in their daily lives. Only 60 and 68 per cent ofrespondents claimed that they ate fruits and had breakfast everyday. Around 58 per cent ofrespondents exercised regularly, with males more eager to maintain the discipline. 59 percent of respondents tried to use less plastic bags in their daily lives.

   In addition, more than 15 per cent ofrespondents smoked cigarette and drank wine regularly. Among them, males made up a largerproportion than females. Another 66 per cent usually slept only after mid-night.Respondents between the ages of 20 and 24 were more inclined to carry this out.

    Yet, the survey showed that respondentsmaintained punctual eating times, cleaned their homes regularly, and washed their handsafter going to the restroom.

    Respondents marked themselves with 6.4points for their own performance in keeping Hong Kong clean. Respondents gave a highermark for their performance for keeping the home environment clean and an awareness ofpursuing a healthy life-style. On average, they marked themselves 7 points on these twoareas.

    The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groupsconducted this telephone survey from 22 to 25 June 1999. A total of 511 young people, aged15 to 29, were successfully interviewed. The survey found that the largest number ofrespondents saw education and publicity as the most effective means to improve the qualityof life for young people, while 46 per cent suggested adopting stringent legislation asdeterrence to pollution.

    Jacky Pang, the senior researchofficer of the Federation, said that only 25 per cent of young people considered Hong Kongan ideal living place, and its popularity lags far behind Singapore and Tokyo. Whenlooking into Hong Kong's environmental problems, many respondents could easily identifythe root of the problem, suggesting that young people well understood the causes and wereconcerned about environmental protection, hoping the Government would do something toimprove the quality of the environment.

    Pang went on to say that while a majorityof young people had some idea of what were healthy life-styles, not a majority of them putthe spirit in practice.

    The Federation encouraged the Governmentto step up measures to provide young people with an improved living environment, so thatthey could be brought up in a healthy living environment.

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