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The Government published in the Gazette today (April 30) the legislative amendments required for giving effect to the Budget proposal of increasing the duty rates on tobacco by 50%.
In his 2009-10 Budget, the Financial Secretary proposed to increase the duty rates on various types of tobacco by 50% for public health reasons.
The proposal came into immediate effect from 11am on February 25, 2009 (the Budget Day) under the Public Revenue Protection Order 2009. As the order gives provisional legal effect to the proposal for only four months, it is necessary for the Government to introduce a Bill containing the proposal into the Legislative Council for enactment.
"The proposed increase in tobacco duty will strengthen our tobacco control efforts to protect public health and will further discourage smoking. The proposal can also reduce the long-term disease burden for Hong Kong," a government spokesman said.
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on May 13.
Ends/Thursday, April 30, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:02
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