Lo Chung-mau says people shouldn’t stress that smoking is a right

Health minister Lo Chung-mau said there is still room for authorities to raise the tobacco duty to the 75-percent level suggested by the WHO as he noted people should no longer stress that smoking is a right. 

Lo said authorities are still consulting citizens on the duty raise – an important strategy when it comes to smoke-control – to see whether it should be a one-off increase or if the raise should come in phases. 

On a radio program Saturday, Lo said claims that raising the tobacco duty would encourage citizens to buy illicit cigarette products are insulting the government’s determination in smoke-control. 

It is also an insult to citizens as it suggests they would break the law, Lo added, hoping that lawmakers won’t say this anymore. 

Lo pointed out that raising the tobacco duty and stepping up law enforcement against illicit cigarette trading will be carried out at the same time. 

Authorities will study from other countries and consider banning the sale of cigarette products to people born after a certain year, or raising the minimum legal age to 21. 

Lo also said if people don’t want their next generation to become a smoker, they should not stress that smoking is a right. 

The government is mulling to display an identification mark on duty-paid cigarette products as well, the extra costs of which will be settled by the tobacco companies. 

Lo at the same time encouraged elderly people to quit smoking and explained it will benefit the time they spend together with their grandchildren.