Lawmaker criticizes tobacco control measures as “over the top”

Lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon criticized the ten proposed tobacco control measures as “over the top” and undermining individual freedom, and questioned: “why not also ban sugar and fatty char siu?”

Kong made the comments during a Legislative Council meeting on Tuesday. 

She acknowledged the need for indoor smoking bans and control of secondhand smoke but argued that overly aggressive policies aimed solely at drastically reducing the number of smokers or achieving a smoke-free city raise issues of personal freedom.

“If we really want to control public costs, why not also ban sugar, ban obesity, ban alcohol, and ban foie gras and fatty char siu (Cantonese-style barbeque pork)?” she questioned.

In response, Under Secretary for Health Libby Lee Ha-yun emphasized that true freedom relies on will and informed choice, arguing that addiction compromises both will and personal autonomy.

She highlighted that smoking and drug use are inherently addictive behaviors, which cannot be justified merely by the notion of personal freedom.

Kong cited a 2007 study by the University of Hong Kong and the University of Queensland, estimating that smoking costs HK$5.3 billion annually in economic losses and public health expenses. 

She questioned why, despite a decrease in the number of smokers from 2008 to 2021, the government reported that related economic losses had increased to HK$8.2 billion by 2024.

Fung Ying, head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, explained that smoking-related diseases now require costly specialized treatment, driving up medical expenses. 

She noted that the highest prevalence of smoking is among those aged 40 to 59, and as this group reaches 65, they enter the peak phase for disease incidence.

(Staff reporter)