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Following is a question by the Hon Paul Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
It has been reported that according to the latest test report published by the Consumer Council in April this year, the nicotine contents of the cigarettes currently on sale in Hong Kong have increased by 13% on average when compared with those of last year. Moreover, some medical specialists have pointed out that the higher the nicotine contents of cigarettes, the greater the chance of smokers suffering from addiction syndrome. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it has looked into the reasons for tobacco companies increasing the nicotine contents of cigarettes; whether it will require tobacco companies to proactively notify the government department(s) concerned after they have changed the tar and nicotine contents of cigarettes;
(b) it will consider legislating to impose a ceiling on the nicotine contents of the cigarettes on sale in Hong Kong; if it will, of the details; if it will not, the reasons for that; and
(c) it had studied in the past two years the health hazards caused to smokers by nicotine in cigarettes; if it had, of the study results; if it had not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
We must first stress that cigarettes, containing over 4,000 kinds of harmful chemicals (including more than 50 carcinogens), may cause a number of diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Smoking is therefore hazardous to health regardless of its nicotine or tar yields.
At present, Part III of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (the Ordinance) stipulates that cigarette packets and containers shall bear the nicotine and tar yields in the prescribed form and manner. Part V of the Ordinance requires that the Government Chemist may from time to time analyse any cigarette for the purpose of determining its tar and nicotine yields and may publish the result of any such analysis. Such analyses are conducted with reports published for public inspection on an annual basis. Part III of the Ordinance also specifies that it is an offence for cigarette packets or containers to bear incorrect tar and nicotine yields, and such an offence is punishable by a fine at level 5 (i.e. $50,000) on conviction.
Research findings show that nicotine is an addictive element in tobacco products. Even if the nicotine contents of cigarettes are deliberately reduced, smokers will, out of addiction, unconsciously modulate their intake of nicotine by increasing the number of cigarettes they smoke and the frequency and strength of puffs. Smokers may thus inhale more harmful chemicals contained in cigarettes, including various carcinogens. Therefore, restricting the nicotine yield of tobacco products by legislation neither reduces the smoking prevalence nor the hazards to health. Smoking cessation is the only way to reduce smokers' risks of developing diseases. In view of the above, the Administration has no plan to legislate on the nicotine yield of tobacco products or require tobacco traders to report proactively any change of the nicotine yield. The Administration will continue to enhance the smoking cessation services provided for smokers and promote smoking cessation through the Council of Smoking and Health as well as at the district level.
Ends/Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:52
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