​The Department of Health (DH) today (May 27) announced that Hong Kong's smoking rate has continued to decline from 23.3 per cent in the early 1980s to 8.5 per cent in 2025, hitting a record low. At the same time, the number of people who habitually use alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products on a daily basis has also dropped, reflecting the remarkable effectiveness of the Government's tobacco control strategies in safeguarding public health. To encourage and assist smokers to quit, the DH launched the "Quit in June" campaign today, which will, among other means, use artificial intelligence (AI) to provide personalised smoking cessation counselling services.
 
Survey results
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     The Census and Statistics Department published the latest Thematic Household Survey Report today. According to the Thematic Household Survey on smoking habits conducted from July to October last year, around 540 000 Hong Kong citizens had a daily habit of smoking conventional cigarettes at the time of the survey, accounting for 8.5 per cent of all persons aged 15 and above. The relevant rate was 9.1 per cent in 2023.
      
     Regarding alternative smoking products, the proportion of persons aged 15 and above who habitually used e-cigarettes daily in 2025 was 0.1 per cent of the population, while the relevant rate was 0.2 per cent in 2023. Meanwhile, the proportion of daily users of heated tobacco products dropped from 0.1 per cent in 2023 to a level beyond accurate estimation.
      
     The Head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH, Dr Manny Lam, said, "The decline of Hong Kong's smoking rate to a record low is the result of years of concerted efforts by various sectors of the community and members of the public, making Hong Kong an international role model for successful tobacco control. Furthermore, since the ban on alternative smoking products took effect in April 2022, the number of users has continued to fall, demonstrating the effectiveness and importance of implementing the ban. The DH will continue to closely monitor smoking trends and guard against the prevalence of new smoking products in Hong Kong."
      
     Following the gazettal of the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 last year, the Government is progressively implementing the next phase of tobacco control measures. Measures that have already taken effect include strengthening the legal framework for combating illicit cigarettes, expanding the statutory no-smoking areas, further imposing a comprehensive ban on the possession of alternative smoking products in public places, alongside the sustained enhancement of public education and smoking cessation services. The Government plans to fully implement the plain packaging requirement for conventional smoking products and the duty stamp system by December next year to further reduce the attractiveness of tobacco products and strengthen efforts in combating illicit cigarettes.
      
     Dr Lam added that one of the core tenets of the Government's "10 Tobacco Control Measures" is to reduce the appeal of smoking products, including alternative smoking products and various flavoured cigarettes, thereby preventing the new generation from becoming addicted to tobacco. The latest survey results also show that smoking rates among younger age groups remain at very low levels, reflecting that the younger generation no longer accepts smoking behaviour, which is highly aligned with the Government's goals and societal expectations.
      
     The Chairman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, Mr Henry Tong, said that the Council endeavours to fully support the Government in implementing the next phase of tobacco control measures. He pointed out that implementing plain packaging for conventional smoking products and banning flavoured cigarettes would effectively reduce the promotional effect and appeal of tobacco products, serving as important measures to counter tobacco companies' marketing to the public, especially the younger generation.
 
"Quit in June" campaign
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     Dr Lam said, "The Government has always adopted a multipronged and gradual approach to reduce the harm caused by smoking products to the public and society. In addition to legislation, taxation, publicity, education and enforcement, providing comprehensive smoking cessation services is also an indispensable part of this. To help smokers successfully quit, the DH has been subventing a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide diverse and free smoking cessation services and support. In support of the World Health Organization's World No Tobacco Day on May 31 each year, the DH launched the 'Quit in June' campaign in 2021 to encourage smokers to try to quit smoking, thereby reducing the risk of smoking-related diseases and death. Over the past few years, the campaign has achieved encouraging results, with an increasing number of participants."
      
     This year, the DH will continue to distribute free one-week smoking cessation drug trial packs through over 300 community pharmacies, smoking cessation clinics, District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses, and DH clinics, as well as free Chinese medicine ear points patches through designated Chinese medicine clinics to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms in smokers who wish to quit.
      
     In response to the Government's implementation of a smoking ban on all construction sites, Dr Lam said that the DH has stepped up smoking cessation publicity and support for the construction industry. The NGOs subvented by the DH will proactively provide free smoking cessation drug trial packs and Chinese medicine ear points patches to the construction industry through outreach activities.
      
     In addition, the DH has collaborated with the School of Nursing of the University of Hong Kong to launch a pilot AI-assisted smoking cessation counselling service - "Chat to Quit" this year. The AI provides accurate and appropriate smoking cessation information instantly, and offers personalised smoking cessation counselling according to users' smoking history and quitting preferences. It can also provide emotional support and help users practise skills in refusing cigarettes. Smokers who wish to quit can scan the QR code (see annex) to access the service anytime, anywhere, free of charge. For users who require real-person counselling, smoking cessation medication support or Chinese Medicine acupuncture smoking cessation service, "Chat to Quit" will also make referrals accordingly.
      
     The DH has started broadcasting the "We are all in this together. Quit Now" television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest, and has stepped up promotional advertisements on public transport networks and social media to encourage smokers to quit and accompany them through the tobacco-free month.
      
     The DH also operates an integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline (1833 183) to handle general enquiries about smoking cessation, and provide professional counselling and referral services. Members of the public can visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation and related support tools and services. They can also download the "Quit Smoking App" to keep track of their quitting progress and obtain tips on fighting cravings to maintain a tobacco-free life.
      
     Dr Lam emphasised that smokers of any age can reap immediate and long-term health benefits from quitting smoking. For the sake of their own health and that of their families, he urged smokers not to hesitate, but to act now and quit smoking in June. They should also adopt a healthy lifestyle and help build a tobacco-free Hong Kong.

Ends/Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:30

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