The goal is to reduce the prevalence of smoking from 9.5% in 2021 to 7.8% in 2025.

The bureau has identified four main strategies for achieving this goal: Regulate Supply, Suppress Demand, Ban Promotion, Reduce Attractiveness, Expand NSAs, Mitigate Harm, and Enhance Education, Support Cessation.

The bureau plans to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to citizens born after a certain date, increase tobacco duty to 75%, and step up law enforcement against illicit cigarette activities.

They will also work to expand statutory non-smoking areas and regulate the additives of tobacco products, such as menthol, fruit, and confectionery flavors.

In addition, the authorities plan to increase the fixed penalty for those who walk and smoke at the same time, and standardize the requirement of imposing plain packaging on tobacco products.

The government is taking these measures to address the increasing health risks associated with smoking and second-hand smoke.

The Hospital Authority has estimated that the incidence of chronic diseases is projected to increase by 50% in the next 20 years to three million in 2039.

Lo Chung-mau, the Secretary for Health, notes that there are still nearly 600,000 everyday-smokers in Hong Kong, and the government has an urgent need to adopt more effective tobacco control measures to stop teenagers from smoking due to their curiosity.

The public consultation will be open for six weeks, and interested parties can provide their feedback through a dedicated email address or mail to the Tobacco Control Office.

The bureau hopes that the public will support their efforts to create a smoke-free Hong Kong and reduce the health risks associated with smoking.