Possible ban on flavoured cigarettes will not affect tourism: gov’t

Authorities emphasise that Hong Kong visitors go to the city not to smoke. 

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the proposed policies to control tobacco use in Hong Kong will not stop visitors from coming to the city.

Recently, Hong Kong announced 10 new policies to control tobacco use in the city. This includes banning flavoured cigarettes.

Specifically on this proposed rule, Lo said: “I would categorically say that this would not affect visitors, tourists and business people coming to Hong Kong. 

“First of all, taking the example of Singapore, Singapore has stricter measures on anti-smoking which do not really affect the tourists and visitors going to Singapore,” he added.

Lo also noted that overall, there are far more non-smokers than smokers. 

Furthermore, people come to Hong Kong not for smoking, but for business opportunities, food, and its tourist attractions, he added.
 
“They love to have a refreshing, lively, healthy city, rather than a city full of smoke and cigarette butts on the floor. I would categorically say that this is not an issue,” Lo said.