Lawmaker says e-cig ban could hamper tourism

Liberal Party lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai raised concerns on Friday that a possible ban on flavoured cigarettes could hamper tourists’ willingness to visit Hong Kong.

His comments came as sources suggested that the government will study a complete ban on possession of electronic and heated tobacco products and on flavoured cigarettes in a bid to further shrink the smoking rate.

Read more: Total ban on e-cigs may just be a few puffs away

Shiu’s view was echoed by his fellow party member Tommy Cheung Yu-yan and DAB lawmaker Edward Leung Hei, who also said the ban could “give rise to the opposite effect when carried to extremes”.

In response, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said visitors are not coming to Hong Kong to smoke but for leisure, adding that a refreshing city is more attractive than a city “full of cigarette butts”.

Lo also pointed out that many netizens on Chinese lifestyle-sharing social media platform Xiaohongshu are supportive of the ban.

Similar measures have been implemented in other countries, he added.