Hong Kong (SAR)

Tobacco Control Policies

China became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on January 9, 2006. Hong Kong, as Special Administrative Region of China, is bound by China’s ratification of the treaty.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places and workplaces. The only exceptions to the smoking ban are: hotel rooms, designated areas in airports and correctional/detention facilities, and tasting rooms in cigar shops. Public transport is smoke free with one limited exception: if a bus or taxi is hired as a whole by a private party, smoking is allowed in the vehicle.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Tobacco advertising is broadly banned under the law. The law provides a list of promotional practices that are prohibited, which allows for other promotional practices or leaves uncertain whether those other promotional practices are allowed. There are few restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship. 

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Pictorial health warnings are required for all packets and retail containers of cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and cigarette tobacco. Warnings included both images and text and must occupy 85 percent of both principal display areas (PDAs); Chinese language on one PDA and English language on the other PDA. The government has issued 12 combined picture-and-text warning, which must appear with equal frequency during any continuous 24-month period. Smokeless tobacco products are prohibited in Hong Kong. Misleading terms, descriptors, and other such signs suggesting that one brand is less harmful than another are prohibited.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco tax information from Hong Kong is currently unavailable.

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities Yes
Private offices Yes
Primary and secondary schools Yes
Public transport No
Universities Yes
Restaurants Yes
Governmental facilities Yes
Bars and Pubs Yes
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions? No
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP
Domestic TV and radio Yes
Promotional discounts Yes
Domestic magazines and newspapers Yes
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names Yes
Outdoor advertising Yes
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names Yes
Point-of-sale advertising Yes
Paid placement in media Yes
Retail product display No
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility Yes
Internet advertising Yes
Publicity of sponsorships Yes
Free distribution Yes
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 12
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 85%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 85%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 85%
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products Yes
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency 0.00 n/a
Total taxes 0%
In US dollars 0.00 USD
Total excise 0%

Sources:

SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org

Last updated: August 8, 2022