Liberal Party of Hong Kong, China: Smoking ban will hit Hong Kong tourism hard

Liberal Party of Hong Kong, China: Smoking ban will hit Hong Kong tourism hard

Hong Kong's proposed total ban on flavored tobacco sales could severely affect tourism, with more than 90% of mainland respondents saying such a ban would reduce their willingness to visit Hong Kong, the Liberal Party of Hong Kong warned on July 5, according to The Standard. This is the conclusion drawn by the party based on an online questionnaire from more than 2,500 mainland smokers. More than 90% of respondents said they would be less willing to visit Hong Kong if measures to ban flavored tobacco products and smoking substitutes were implemented. In addition, about 70% of respondents have learned that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region plans to ban flavored tobacco, e-cigarettes and other heated tobacco products. The purpose of this online survey is to assess the potential impact of the proposed tobacco control measures on inbound tourism from the mainland. Last month, the Hong Kong government announced that it would introduce 10 short-term tobacco control measures to reduce the city's smoking rate from the current 9.1% to 7.8% next year. If the Legislative Council passes the measures, additional restrictions will be imposed on the consumption of tobacco-related products, including a total ban on the possession of flavored cigarettes and smoking substitutes.

After evaluating the survey results, Liberal Party Chairman Peter Shiu Ka-fai urged the government to reconsider and revise certain tobacco control measures because these measures will not only affect the freedom of choice of Hong Kong people, but also hinder tourists from coming to Hong Kong and have an impact on the tourism industry and the local economy.

"We are not saying that we do not support all of the 10 measures, some we support, but some are too extreme."

"Although this questionnaire is aimed at mainland tourists, I understand that similar tobacco products are commonly used in many Asian countries, so this ban may prevent other tourists from coming."

"We are worried that if menthol cigarettes and candy/fruit flavored cigarettes are further banned, more people will be reluctant to come."

On April 30, 2022, Hong Kong has already banned the import and sale of alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes.

However, if the latest proposed measures are passed, personal use of alternative smoking products and flavored tobacco products will also be banned.

Health Secretary Law Chi-kwong said the smoking ban would not affect tourism because tourists "don't come to Hong Kong for smoking."

However, Mr. Shiu said yesterday that the concern was about the potential inconvenience the ban could cause to individuals.

Lan Kwai Fong Group Chairman Allan Zeman said many of the bars and restaurants in Lan Kwai Fong rely on the sale of flavored hookahs as a significant part of their business and revenue. He said he understood the health department's efforts in implementing the measures.