Remarks by S for Health at media session on tobacco control measures
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Reporter: What is the next step in the Government's anti-smoking policies, and how would that further contribute to making Hong Kong a smoke-free city? And in terms of your mentions on alternative smoking products, how does that pose impact towards the number of smokers, and when will the next measures towards these products take place?
Secretary for Health: We have already systematically implemented the anti-tobacco measures, including increasing the penalty for illegal import of tobacco products, as well as the implementation of prohibition or the ban on possession of alternative smoking products since the end of last month. So far, the measures are very smoothly implemented. And the next measure is the duty stamp as well as the uniform packaging for tobacco products, which will be fully implemented by the end of next year. These are very important countermeasures against illicit smoking products. The next step will be, after all these measures including the duty stamp, starting implementing the possible measure against additives into tobacco products. These additives are in fact attracting the younger generation as well as a lot of women into nicotine addiction. So, this is a very important measure.
So, after all these short-term measures, we'll be considering other middle or long-term measures, including the prohibition or the ban of smoking while walking. But we will look into the short-term measures before we implement these long-term measures. We have reached a smoking rate of 8.5 per cent in the year 2025, and this is a historic low in the history of Hong Kong. We will continue to move towards a smoke-free Hong Kong, a Healthy Hong Kong and in accordance with our national policy of Healthy China. So, after considering and monitoring the effect of all these measures, we will consider the next stage.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Ends/Saturday, May 30, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:35
Issued at HKT 12:35
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