Thematic Household Survey Report No. 75 published
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This publication contains key findings on Internet and personal computer (PC) penetration and Hong Kong population’s pattern of smoking based on the Thematic Household Survey conducted during April to July 2021.
Internet and PC penetration
The survey results showed that the majority of households (94.4%) had Internet access at home in 2021. Among these households, smartphone was the most popular type of device used for Internet connection at home (99.9%), whereas PC came next (80.2%).
Usage of the Internet remained very popular. The percentage of persons aged 10 and over who had used the Internet during the 12 months before enumeration increased from 92.4% in 2020 to 93.1% in 2021. In particular, the increase was substantial among persons aged 65 and over (from 65.9% to 70.0%).
Findings of the survey also showed that the popularity of smartphones continued to increase. The smartphone penetration rate rose from 92.1% in 2020 to 92.9% in 2021. The increase in usage of smartphone was particularly remarkable among the elderly. 73.0% of persons aged 65 and over had a smartphone in 2021, higher than the corresponding percentage (68.1%) in 2020.
Pattern of smoking
The survey results showed that there were some 581 500 daily conventional cigarette smokers in 2021, accounting for 9.5% of all persons aged 15 and over in Hong Kong, which was lower than the corresponding percentage (10.2%) in 2019 and the first time the relevant percentage dropped to single digits in Hong Kong on record. Daily conventional cigarette smokers consumed on average about 13 sticks of conventional cigarettes a day, the same as that in 2019.
Including persons who consumed other forms of tobacco or related products (e.g. heated tobacco product, e-cigarette, cigar, hand-rolled cigarette, pipe-smoking, snuff/snus and water pipe), there were some 601 300 daily smokers in 2021, accounting for 9.8% of all persons aged 15 and over in Hong Kong, which was lower than the corresponding percentage (10.5%) in 2019. Of note, there were some 17 500 daily smokers who consumed e-cigarettes, accounting for 0.3% of all persons aged 15 and over in Hong Kong, which was higher than the corresponding percentage (0.1%) in 2019.
Other information
The survey successfully enumerated target respondents in some 10 100 households in accordance with a scientific sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.
Detailed findings of the survey, together with the population coverage and concepts/definitions of key terms, are presented in the above-mentioned publication. Users can download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1130201&scode=453).
Enquiries about the survey findings can be directed to the Social Surveys Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5103 or email: thematic@censtatd.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, May 26, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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