HK Budget 2011: Anti-tobacco Activists Applaud 41.5% Rise in Cigarette Tax

Hong Kong – Anti-smoking activists applauded Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah’s decision to raise tobacco tax in his budget on Wednesday.

Smokers will now have to pay HK$10 more for a pack of cigarettes following the 41.5% tax rise, effective immediately.

Citing studies by the World Health Organization, Tsang said that increasing the tobacco duty is an effective means of controlling cigarette smoking, a public health issue.

“I am aware that tobacco duty in Hong Kong currently accounts for only about 60% of the retail prices of cigarettes, some way below the 75% recommended by the World Health Organization,” Tsang said.

In previous budgets he declined to raise the duty citing fears of stimulating cigarette smuggling.

Anti-tobacco activists cheered the move.

“We welcome the tobacco duty, which can encourage more people, especially the youth, to quit smoking,” said Lisa Lau, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health.