Will Hong Kong’s tobacco control bill cut smoking rates or hurt city’s attractiveness?
September 15, 2025 by scmp.com
Will Hong Kong’s tobacco control bill cut smoking rates or hurt city’s attractiveness?
Hong Kong passed a contentious tobacco control bill to decrease smoking rates. Concerns were raised about tourism and illicit cigarette trade impact. The bill includes measures like banning alternative smoking products in public by April 2026 and flavored cigarettes by 2027. Penalties for possessing illicit cigarettes have increased, and smoking is prohibited at transport boarding points and certain public areas. E-cigarettes' use in public will be banned, with fines for possessing e-liquids. The bill's effects on smokers are analyzed in comparison to neighboring regions.
