Hong Kong’s health authorities are aiming to put more restrictions on tobacco products.
A new public consultation was initiated to address the issue of smoking cessation.
The consultation, which involves a citywide questionnaire, commenced recently, and is set to conclude on September 30.
Health authorities have outlined four new anti-smoking strategies. Concerns were raised by members of the city's top decision-making body regarding the potential strong opposition from smokers and the business sector.
The strategies encompass various aspects, including the potential ban of tobacco sales to individuals born after a specific date and a proposal to increase tobacco duty to 75%.
Other directions outlined in the strategies involve strengthening law enforcement against illicit cigarette activities, curbing the circulation of alternative smoking products, expanding non-smoking areas to minimize the impact of second-hand smoke, and enhancing the management of smoke-free premises.
One of the proposed measures is to regulate the additives in tobacco products, such as menthol, fruit, and confectionery flavors.
Authorities are also contemplating increasing the fixed penalty for individuals who smoke while walking and standardizing the requirement of plain packaging for tobacco products.
The overall objective of the next phase is to reduce the smoking prevalence from 9.5% in 2021 to 7.8% by 2025.