As part of the tobacco control measures outlined following a public consultation in 2023, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau announced on Saturday (May 30) that the government would begin a new phase in its fight on illegal cigarettes and vapes.
Following the consultation, a number of short-, medium-, and long-term initiatives were developed, including ten tobacco control initiatives that were implemented at the start of this year, according to Lo.
Vapes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco are examples of alternative smoking products that are not allowed to be used or possessed in public as of April 30.
After attending a radio show, Lo told reporters that the measures had been successfully executed thus far and that the next stage will be to concentrate on consistent packaging and duty stamps.
"These will be fully implemented by the end of next year, and there are very important counter measures against illicit smoking products," he stated. "After all these measures, we will start implementing possible measures against all additives in tobacco products — which in fact attracts the younger generation, as well as a lot of women, into nicotine addiction," he said.
The minister stated that alternative medium-term and long-term objectives, like taxing people who smoke while walking, will then be investigated by the administration.
In 2025, Hong Kong had a "historic low" smoking prevalence rate of 8.5 percent, falling short of the initial goal of 7.8 percent.
According to Lo, the World Health Organization's campaign to reduce the global smoking rate by thirty percent was the basis for the SAR's goal, but the Covid-19 pandemic caused the organization to postpone the target by three years.
(Source: RTHK)
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