Health Secretary Doubts HK Lifting E-cig Embargo
Sophia Chan Siu-chee, former Secretary for Food and Health in Hong Kong, and her successor Lo Chung-mau, have both voiced concerns over the re-exportation of e-cigarettes through Hong Kong, warning that this could hinder the region's tobacco control efforts, reports the standard HK (thestandard.com.hk). Chan suggests that the territory could benefit from higher tobacco taxes and a greater number of no-smoking areas.
The current smoking rate in Hong Kong is 9.5%, a significant decrease from the 23% rate in the 1980s due to tobacco-control policies. However, Lo notes that the tax on a pack of cigarettes in the region falls below the 75% price proportion recommended by the World Health Organization, indicating room for an increase.
In February, the cost of a pack of 20 cigarettes rose by 30%, requiring smokers to pay an additional HK$12. The government aims to prevent citizens from smoking by regulating the tobacco supply and decreasing the promotion of tobacco sales. They will launch a public consultation next month to address tobacco-related issues.
Since April last year, the import, manufacture, sale, and possession of e-cigarettes have been prohibited. However, re-exportation through air cargo is exempted in an effort to support the logistics sector, a move Chan believes could undermine efforts to ban these products.
Government statistics reveal that about 70% of smokers in Hong Kong have never attempted to quit, and around one-third of primary school children are exposed to second-hand smoke at home.
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