Group warns plain packs hinder Hongkongers’ efforts to detect smuggled cigarettes
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A survey by the Long-term Tobacco Policy Concern Group in Hong Kong found that nearly 90% of smokers could not differentiate between smuggled and duty-paid cigarettes under proposed plain packaging. The group is urging the government to enhance the tobacco stamp duty system with QR codes for verification. They argue that plain packaging, which removes brand logos and standardizes fonts, will make it harder for consumers to identify legal cigarettes. The Health Bureau has proposed implementing plain packaging by the second quarter of 2027. The group's poll of 462 smokers this month revealed the difficulty in distinguishing between legal and illegal cigarettes with simulated plain packaging.
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AI-ExtractedThe group polled 462 smokers this month.
The Health Bureau has proposed introducing plain cigarette packaging in Hong Kong by the second quarter of 2027.
The Long-term Tobacco Policy Concern Group urged authorities to expand the function of the tobacco stamp duty system.
Nearly 90 per cent of Hong Kong smokers cannot distinguish smuggled cigarettes from duty-paid ones under the government’s proposed plain packaging.
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