Health chief dismisses claims over flavored cigarettes ban could hamper tourism

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau on Sunday stressed that the ban on flavored cigarettes would not stop tourists and business people from coming to Hong Kong.

This came after some lawmakers suggested the smoking control measures might reduce travelers' interest in visiting Hong Kong.

Lo said there are far more non-smokers than smokers in the city and added that visitors are not coming to Hong Kong for smoking but for business opportunities, delicacies, and all the attractions. 

"They love to have a refreshing, lively, healthy city rather than a city full of smoke and cigarette butts on the floor," he said. The health chief also took Singapore as an example and noted that although it has stricter anti-smoking measures, they do not affect tourism.

As for some worried the businesses of the newspaper vendors would be affected by the smoking control measures, Lo said tobacco products are always harmful to citizens, and the government must safeguard the interests of citizens.

He added that raising tobacco taxes is one of the most effective methods of smoking control. It would send a strong message that the government is determined to reduce the prevalence to 7.8 percent by 2025 and ultimately realize the vision of a "Tobacco-free Hong Kong."