Hong Kong's government is working on proposals to ban smoking in restaurants and impose tighter packaging restrictions on cigarette firms, the South China Morning Post reported on Sunday.

The government plans to present its final proposals to legislators before the end of this year, the paper quoted an official source as saying.

Under the plan, smoking in all restaurants would be banned after a certain grace period and the restriction would eventually be extended to bars, discos and nightclubs, the paper said.

The government proposed a similar smoking ban in 2001, but faced stiff opposition from the restaurant and bar trades fearing a slump in business.

Hong Kong's anti-smoking laws now prohibit smoking in some public places and advertising tobacco products on television or in print. Under the proposals, tobacco firms may be required to print health warnings that cover half of each cigarette pack.

The government is also considering putting graphic warnings on cigarette packs similar to those used in Canada, the paper said.

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