Smoking control has helped Hongkongers live longer, new study shows, and researchers want lawmakers to stub out sales of e-cigarettes next
- Research shows life expectancy for city’s residents higher than in 18 high-income countries
- Study was conducted by seven universities, including the University of Hong Kong, and will be published by The Lancet
Controlling people’s smoking habits has been the single most important driver for Hongkongers’ longevity, a new study has found, with the city topping life expectancy charts for the seventh year running.
And with lawmakers expected to discuss further tightening restrictions this week, researchers have urged Hong Kong’s politicians to support a sales ban on heated tobacco products.
Conducted by seven universities, including the University of Hong Kong, and accepted by The Lancet Public Health for publication, the study’s findings were released ahead of the Legislative Council meeting on Friday to discuss the Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Bill 2019.
Part of that discussion will centre on an amendment by pro-tobacco lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai, to exempt heat-not-burn products from the blanket ban on electronic cigarettes.
“Science is unbiased and non-partisan,” said Dr Gabriel Leung, dean of the university’s faculty of medicine and a leading member of the research. “Citizens should have clear eyes to watch those who put Hongkongers’ health first, in spite of intense lobbying from tobacco companies.”
