Hong Kong aims to slash its smoking rate to 7.8 percent by year-end through tougher tobacco controls, as health authorities crack down on flavored cigarettes and expand no-smoking zones to combat youth addiction and ease pressure on the healthcare system, health chief Lo Chung-mau announced.
The Legislative Council Bills Committee has completed its review of the proposed 10 tobacco control measures. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau stated that the city’s smoking rate stood at 9.1 percent in 2022, meaning nearly 600,000 people still smoke, placing a burden on the healthcare system.
Tobacco companies continue to introduce new products, increasing the risk of young people developing nicotine addiction. Authorities are committed to strengthening tobacco control and believe the smoking rate could drop to around 7.8 percent by the end of the year.
Speaking on a television program, Lo acknowledged the challenges in regulating flavored cigarettes, particularly menthol varieties, due to their similarity in appearance to traditional cigarettes.
As a result, the measures will initially focus on banning non-menthol flavored tobacco products in 2027, requiring importers to prove their products contain no flavoring additives. The effectiveness of this measure will determine future regulations on menthol-flavored cigarettes.
Regarding the issue of "walk-and-smoke" behavior, Lo noted that Hong Kong’s densely populated environment makes enforcement difficult. Instead of targeting this specific behavior, the government plans to expand no-smoking zones, including areas near schools, hospitals, and tourist spots, as a more practical approach.
The new measures aim to curb smoking prevalence while balancing enforcement feasibility and public health priorities.
