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Jiang Chuqin

A Hong Kong anti-smoking group has called for a total ban on flavoured cigarettes after a survey found nearly 90 per cent of young female smokers opted for the particularly addictive products.
The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, and researchers from the University of Hong Kong’s medical school, urged authorities on Wednesday to introduce the ban as soon as possible.
“Flavoured tobacco is marketed as ‘healthier’, especially targeting young people and women,” said Henry Tong Sau-chai, the council’s chairman.
The prohibition suggested by the groups would also cover products containing menthol and any accessories that could add flavours to cigarettes.
A ban on flavoured cigarettes is among the 10 short-term measures suggested by health authorities in June last year to help further reduce the city’s smoking rate from 9.1 per cent in 2023 to 7.8 per cent in 2025.
The measures could be approved by lawmakers before the end of this year.
But the tourism and hospitality sectors have voiced worries over the impact of stamping out flavoured cigarettes and shisha, urging authorities to postpone or reconsider the bans.
Tong said any ban should cover menthol, the most commonly used additive, as it could mask the harshness and bitterness of tobacco with a cooling sensation, making the smoke smoother and easier to inhale.
He said these features encouraged smokers to inhale more deeply, allowing harmful substances to be deposited further into the lungs.
The anaesthetic effect of menthol could also suppress the body’s reactions to nicotine, amplifying the rewarding sensation it provided and making it harder for smokers to quit.
For its latest study, the HKU research team polled 5,600 Cantonese speakers aged 15 and above through landline phones and mobiles from January to May last year.

The study found that half of the current smokers used flavoured cigarettes, while 71 per cent of female smokers opted for the products. Among female smokers aged 15 to 29, the use of flavoured cigarettes reached 86 per cent.
Another research survey polled 14,440 primary school students and 28,395 secondary school students in 2022 and 2023.
It found that 3 per cent of primary school students and 8 per cent of secondary school students had tried smoking products.
Most of the students tried flavoured smoking products for their first experience. Those who started with flavoured products were also more likely to become daily cigarette smokers.
“Teenagers and women are increasingly attracted to flavoured tobacco products, with preferences for particular flavours and brands. This phenomenon makes it more likely [to be the case] that they will take up smoking, develop an addiction and continue smoking as a habit,” said Kelvin Wang Man-ping, a professor at the school of nursing at HKU.
The council also reviewed policies in more than 40 countries and regions and concluded that a complete ban on the flavoured products and related accessories was the most effective option to help smokers quit.
Asked about the ban’s impact on bars and the tobacco industry, the anti-smoking group said the economic consequences had been “exaggerated”, noting that a prohibition on indoor smoking in 2007 did not harm business.


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The tourism and hospitality sectors have voiced worries over the impact of stamping out flavoured cigarettes and shisha. Photo: Sam Tsang

A host of anti-smoking measures could be approved by the end of this year. Photo: May Tse

Flavoured cigarette ban in Hong Kong may deter mainland tourists, expert warns

In the first eight months of this year, mainland Chinese visitors accounted for 77 per cent of tourist arrivals in the city. Photo: Nora Tam

Authorities in June announced 10 new measures to be implemented before the end of 2025 to further decrease Hong Kong’s smoking rate. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong shisha bars warn proposed ban on flavoured cigarettes will cripple businesses

Smokers enjoy shisha on Knutsford Terrace in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jonathan Wong

The University of Hong Kong in 2020 found that 23.8 per cent of 1,288 university students it polled had tried the smoking shisha already. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Business magnate Allan Zeman says the ban will have a limited impact on bars. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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A smoker in Tsim Sha Tsui. The government has announced a range of measures to cut down on the number of tobacco users in the city. Photo: Jelly Tse

A street stall in Central displaying a variety of cigarettes for sale. Retail sector lawmaker Peter Shiu argued banning flavoured cigarettes could reduce Hong Kong’s attractiveness to tourists and business travellers. Photo: Jelly Tse

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Survey finds nearly 90 per cent of young female smokers opt for flavoured cigarettes, which can lead to higher levels of addiction


Survey finds nearly 90 per cent of young female smokers opt for flavoured cigarettes, which can lead to higher levels of addiction.


Smoking and vaping

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong economy