Advertisement
Hong Kong could put health warnings on alcoholic drinks, health minister says after new rules on sales to minors
- Professor Sophia Chan cites trend of binge drinking among youngsters in the city
- ‘According to the experiences of regulating tobacco, we have to do it in a multipronged approach,’ she says
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Health warnings could be put on beer cans and other alcoholic drinks in Hong Kong as the government considers its next step in an effort to curb binge drinking.
That comes after new rules took effect on Friday meaning customers have to show identification proving they are over 18 to buy a drink, and any retailer caught selling alcohol to a minor risks prosecution.
Health minister Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee told a radio programme on Saturday that the new rule was to plug loopholes in the previous law, because officials had found a worrying trend of binge drinking among youngsters in the city.
Advertisement
Although bars and clubs were already banned from serving or selling alcohol to minors, retailers did not have to follow the rule before. The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office has put an extra 30 inspectors on Hong Kong’s streets to enforce the new rule.
Advertisement
Asked if the government would bring in stronger measures similar to those regulating tobacco, such as warning messages on packs and minimum prices, Chan said the government would consider it.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x