Letters | Banning e-cigarettes in Hong Kong will not serve public health
- There is no credible evidence a ban will reduce smoking rates. In fact, the removal of alternatives to traditional cigarettes risk strengthening the habit
We can find no credible evidence that suggests this ban will meet its stated objective of reducing smoking rates, and its proponents have not presented any. On the contrary, a policy of denying smokers access to much safer products and new ways to quit smoking carries the risk of further entrenching the smoking habit. This danger has not been recognised by the Legislative Council.
We hope the legislature will have the good sense to reverse this approach and embrace the public health opportunity of e-cigarettes. The alternative – public policy paralysis – helps no one.
Carrie Wade, director of Harm Reduction Policy, R Street Institute, Washington
Clive Bates, director of Counterfactual Consulting and former director of Action on Smoking and Health (UK), London