Smoking Rates in Hong Kong Reach Single Digits

May.27.2022
Smoking Rates in Hong Kong Reach Single Digits
Hong Kong smoking rate drops to 9.5%, with average consumption at 13 cigarettes/day; e-cigarette use increases.

A survey conducted by the Hong Kong census and statistics department has revealed that the smoking rate in Hong Kong has dropped to 9.5% in 2021, marking the first time that it has reached a two-digit figure. In 2019, the smoking rate in Hong Kong's population was 10.2%.

 

According to the survey results, there are approximately 581,500 regular smokers per day in Hong Kong in 2021, accounting for 9.5% of the population aged 15 and above.

 

According to the investigation, the average daily consumption of regular cigarettes by ordinary smokers is around 13, which remains unchanged from 2019.

 

Despite an overall decrease in total tobacco usage, the number of people using electronic cigarettes saw a sharp increase from 7,200 in 2019 to 17,500 last year.

 

On April 30th, Hong Kong banned the import, manufacture, sale, and distribution of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. This may result in a decrease in the number of people using alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes.

 

Secretary for Food and Health, Sophia Chan Siu-chee, has announced that Hong Kong aims to reduce its smoking rate to 7.8% by 2025. In order to achieve this goal, the government is considering expanding the designated no-smoking areas, decreasing the overall appeal of tobacco products and preventing young people from adopting smoking habits.

 

 

 

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Liverpool City Region Considers Healthier Advertising Rules for Trains, Ferries and Buses — Vapes Included
Liverpool City Region Considers Healthier Advertising Rules for Trains, Ferries and Buses — Vapes Included
The Liverpool City Region is considering a region-wide clampdown on advertising for junk food, sugary drinks and vapes on publicly owned infrastructure. The move is framed as part of a broader push to promote healthier lifestyles and tackle deep-rooted health inequalities, with a particular focus on reducing children’s exposure to harmful marketing in public spaces. The plan is set to go before the Combined Authority on Friday.
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Romania Fines Philip Morris and Distributors Over IQOS Price Fixing
Romania Fines Philip Morris and Distributors Over IQOS Price Fixing
Romania’s Competition Council has found that Philip Morris Trading SRL and two distributors engaged in agreements to fix resale prices and promotional discounts for IQOS heated tobacco products.
Dec.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Alan Zhao: What Altria’s on! PLUS Authorization Really Signals About FDA PMTA Enforcement
Alan Zhao: What Altria’s on! PLUS Authorization Really Signals About FDA PMTA Enforcement
In this in-depth commentary for 2Firsts, Alan Zhao examines what Altria’s on! PLUS authorization really signals about FDA PMTA enforcement. Beyond the headline approval, FDA’s language, process design and product choices offer rare insight into how nicotine pouch regulation is taking shape—and what it means for industry compliance, in one of the earliest expert reads of the decision.
Regulations
Dec.20 by 2Firsts Perspectives
China Announces Crackdown on Illegal Nicotine Pouch Manufacturing Involving Counterfeit VELO, ZYN, and PABLO Products
China Announces Crackdown on Illegal Nicotine Pouch Manufacturing Involving Counterfeit VELO, ZYN, and PABLO Products
The case is valued at approximately 400,000 yuan, and two suspects have been taken into custody.Video footage released by authorities shows that the counterfeit products involved well-known market brands such as VELO, ZYN, and PABLO.
Dec.01
Exclusive | EU Confirms End of Tobacco Policy Expert Group, Explores New Cooperation Structures as TPD Revision Continues
Exclusive | EU Confirms End of Tobacco Policy Expert Group, Explores New Cooperation Structures as TPD Revision Continues
2Firsts reporting shows that, as the European Union moves toward a future evaluation of its tobacco legislation, the Tobacco Policy Expert Group—long a key platform for coordination among Member States—formally concluded its mandate at the end of 2025. At the same time, the European Commission is exploring new cooperation structures to address the resulting institutional gap.
Jan.22
China’s E-Cigarette Exports USD 1.096 billion in November, UK and South Korea Offset U.S. Decline
China’s E-Cigarette Exports USD 1.096 billion in November, UK and South Korea Offset U.S. Decline
China’s e-cigarette exports edged lower in November 2025, totaling USD 1.096 billion, down 0.2% month-on-month, as a decline in shipments to the United States was partially offset by stronger demand from the United Kingdom, Germany and South Korea, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs of China.
Dec.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai