The Post breaks down how the bill’s passage will affect smokers and gauges where city stands with regional neighbours in restrictiveness
Hong Kong recently passed a controversial tobacco control bill that sought to further reduce the city’s smoking rate, prompting some lawmakers to raise concerns about the possible impact on tourism and the illicit cigarette trade.
The bill covers eight of the 10 tobacco control measures raised by the government in June last year, including a ban on the possession or use of alternative smoking products in public by April 30 of next year, and the sale of flavoured cigarettes other than menthol in 2027.
The Post breaks down how the bill’s passage will affect smokers, and compares the city with its regional neighbours.
Effective immediately, the penalty for offences involving untaxed or illicit cigarettes has been increased from a HK$1 million (US$128,500) fine and two years' imprisonment to a HK$2 million fine and seven years’ imprisonment.
