Go beyond e-cigarette ban: raise tobacco

taxes further to truly protect public health

https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3006349/go-beyond-e-cigarette-ban-raise-
tobacco-taxes-further-truly-protect

The World Health Organisation recommends an excise tax share of at least 70 per cent in what
consumers ultimately pay for all tobacco products. Photo: AFP

I am writing in response to the debate over the tobacco control policy in Hong Kong (“Why Hong Kong must
keep e-cigarettes out of the reach of adolescents”, April 15). I strongly agree with the proposed total ban on e-
cigarettes in the interest of public health.

However, while a total ban on e-cigarettes could help to reduce the number of vapers in Hong Kong, and act as
a deterrent for those who want to try similar new tobacco products, especially teenagers, it would do nothing to
reduce the number of smokers who prefer conventional tobacco cigarettes.

Therefore, although the e-cigarette ban is better than nothing, I believe the government should put more efforts
into reducing the number of smokers overall, so as to deal with the risks to public health posed by tobacco use,
as well as its impact on second-hand smokers.

The government should introduce a policy of incremental taxation on the purchase of cigarettes every year.
Taxation introduced in previous years has obviously not worked as a strong enough deterrent, as cigarettes
smokers are still lighting up. The government should follow the example of Britain where taxes on tobacco
products are increased by 2 per cent above inflation. The cost of a pack of cigarettes is 80-90 per cent tax,
higher than the World Health Organisation’s suggested taxation of 70 per cent. Along with publicising
concerns about vaping, the Hong Kong government should put the control of conventional cigarettes under the
spotlight as well to decrease public health risks.

Joyce Tsang, Tseung Kwan O