Bigger graphic health warnings on Hong Kong cigarette packs needed, anti-smoking group says
Survey finds most in favour of move, which advocates say can protect public health and encourage more to quit habit
An anti-smoking body has pressed the government to speed up legislation on cigarette pack health warnings after a survey revealed almost 80 per cent of people desired sterner messages on smoking risks.
The Council on Smoking and Health made the call ahead of another public hearing held on Tuesday in the Legislative Council to collect views on whether to implement the law.
The legislation will expand the size of health warnings on cigarette packs from the current 50 per cent to 85 per cent of the packaging surface.
The proposal was first submitted by the government in May 2015, and the first hearing was held in July in the same year.
According to a survey commissioned by the council and done between February and September last year, 79.5 per cent of 2,058 respondents – comprising smokers, non-smokers and ex-smokers – want cigarette packs to show clearer and more graphic warnings.