Wine tax could be reintroduced to curb Hong Kong's binge drinking
Hongkongers' alcohol consumption has risen considerably, particularly among young people
Health officials will look into controls on alcohol advertisements and a possible reintroduction of the wine tax to combat growing consumption of alcohol, particularly among young people.
This follows a steady rise in consumption generally and a big increase in binge drinking among the young, Centre for Health Protection consultant Dr Regina Ching Cheuk-tuen said yesterday.
"We should face up to the increasing trend," Ching said. "We have provided the data to related departments to see whether a change in the [tax] policy is needed, while we monitor problems that arise from drinking."
The department would also gather information on alcohol advertisements and communicate with broadcast regulators.
Hongkongers' average alcohol consumption has been increasing consistently each year from 2.6 litres in 2009 to 2.9 in 2012, measured in pure alcohol and calculated by dividing local alcohol production and net imports by the total population.
Meanwhile, the percentage of people aged 18 to 24 engaged in binge drinking has risen each year - from 7.4 in 2010 to 9.8 in 2012, Health Department figures show.
And the rate of children aged under 18 admitted to hospital for alcohol-induced conditions increased from two in every 100,000 in the age group in 2009 to 3.3 in 2012.