Hong Kong to target flavoured tobacco in next phase of controls: health chief

Hong Kong authorities will crack down on flavoured tobacco substances in the next phase of their enhanced smoking control measures, with the health minister describing such products as a “poisoned chalice” designed to hook younger people. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau warned on Saturday that flavoured tobacco was mostly delivered through e-cigarettes, with additives containing menthol or sugar-coated toxins used to mask the bitterness and smell of tobacco and attract young consumers. “About 70 per cent of young people’s first puff of nicotine comes from flavoured cigarettes, which make them easily addicted to smoking,” he told a radio programme. “We have rolled out 10 short-term tobacco control measures, and our next step will target the regulation of flavoured substances, including those containing sugar-coated poison to mask their toxic chemicals and the tobacco smell.” Lo stopped short of revealing the details of the regulation of flavoured cigarettes, saying only that packaging for all cigarettes would be standardised at a later stage. “These flavoured cigarettes are presented with colourful packaging like toys to attract youngsters. Their packaging will be standardised,” he said. Hong Kong expanded its ban on alternative smoking products on April 30, making it illegal to possess or use vapes and e-cigarettes in public spaces. Anyone found carrying more than five vape pods or 100 heat sticks in public faces a maximum fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,400) and up to six months in jail, while those with smaller quantities will receive a fixed penalty of HK$3,000. Lo pointed out that Hong Kong’s smoking rate had dropped to 8.5 per cent last year from 9.1 per cent in 2023, with significant declines in both the number of smokers and the volume of cigarettes consumed. He expressed confidence in further reducing these figures. Hong Kong had 538,100 smokers last year, a decline of nearly 100,000 from pre-pandemic levels. Average daily cigarette consumption also fell from 12.7 between 2019 and 2021 to 10.9 between 2023 and 2025, a 10 per cent drop. Lo pointed out that the authorities would roll out a “quit smoking month” in June, with various measures aimed at helping smokers give up. Acknowledging nicotine addiction among smokers, Lo said his bureau was distributing nicotine patches at 300 community pharmacies and district health centres across the city. It was also offering smokers traditional Chinese medicine-based cessation methods, such as ear seeds and acupuncture. Earlier this week, the government launched “Chat to Quit”, an AI-powered chatbot developed by the University of Hong Kong to provide counselling and help residents, including young people, quit smoking.