E-cigarette reexport rule weakens ban, says Chan

Allowing e-cigarettes to be reexported through Hong Kong is a risky move for tobacco control, says former secretary for food and health Sophia Chan Siu-chee, who suggests that tobacco tax be raised more and no-smoking areas expanded.

Her remarks were echoed by successor Lo Chung-mau, who said there is still room to increase tobacco tax and for more tobacco control.

Lo and Chan yesterday attended the Smoke-free Sportswear Day Kick-off Ceremony cum Carnival at Discovery Park, Tsuen Wan, ahead of the World No-Tobacco Day on Wednesday.

"The number of smokers in Hong Kong has lowered from 23 percent in the 1980s to 9.5 percent now with tobacco-control policies in place over the past 40 years," Lo said.

He also presented Hong Kong tobacco-control policies at the World Health Assembly in Geneva earlier this month.

"The tax proportion of the price of a pack of cigarettes is lower than the 75 percent recommended by the World Health Organization. Tobacco tax can be further increased," Lo said.

From February this year, smokers are required to pay an additional HK$12 for a pack of 20 cigarettes - up 30 percent on the previous HK$62.

"Our goal is to prevent citizens from smoking. It is necessary to take a more active approach in regulating tobacco supply, decreasing promotion of tobacco sales."

The government will roll out a public consultation next month to gather opinions on tobacco-related challenges.

Speaking on radio, Chan said allowing reexport of e-cigarettes would be risky as Hong Kong aims to reduce its smoking population from 9.5 percent to 7.8 percent.

Since April last year the import, manufacture, sales, or possession of alternative smoking products - including electronic smoking products- are prohibited.

But reexport through air cargo is exempted as authorities want to support the logistics sector by extending sea-to-air and land-to-air shipments, and this could dampen measures to ban such products, Chan said.

"The government has to boost the economy after the pandemic, but tobacco control is needed considering the public's health risk," Chan said.

"Increasing the tobacco tax and the number of non-smoking areas are needed."

Around 70 percent of smokers never tried to quit smoking, according to government statistics.

"Around one-third of primary school children are exposed to second-hand smoke at home," she said, adding that testing nicotine levels in children's saliva may persuade smokers to quit.

There are about 60 smoking cessation clinics and subsidized services in Hong Kong.

charlie.chun@singtaonewscorp.com