Doctors and experts are warning that drinking among young Hongkongers is getting out of control.
They are urging the government to get tough by bringing back taxes on wine and light liquor or setting a minimum age for drinking.
'The situation is turning into a ... [youth] drinking culture,' said Professor Lam Tai-hing, director of the school of public health at the University of Hong Kong.
Addiction experts say alcohol adverts should be cut back and more educational campaigns for people at risk are needed.
The warnings came as the government launched a plan last week to reduce alcohol-related harm and prevent related diseases.
Dr Lam Ping-yan, director of the Health Department, said he hoped the plan would help people make better choices when drinking.
No one under 18 can legally drink alcohol in restaurants and bars, which require liquor licences. But there is no minimum age for buying alcoholic drinks outside such places. So buying alcohol in Hong Kong, where it is sold in convenience stores and supermarkets, is easier than in most countries.