A government survey has found a fall in the prevalence of cigarette smoking.
The percentage of daily cigarette smokers aged 15 and above in Hong Kong last year was 10.5%, down from 10.7% in 2012.
Daily cigarette smokers among teenagers aged 15 to 19 dropped from 2% in 2012 to 1.1% in 2015.
In another school-based survey conducted from October 2014 to April 2015, 0.2% of Primary Four to Six students and 2.7% of secondary students were smokers, representing a decrease of 0.1 and 0.6 percentage points over the same period in 2012/13.
Under Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan said the Government is pleased to see the overall prevalence of smokers has decreased from 23.3% in the early 1980s to 10.5% in 2015, as it shows the Government's multi-pronged approach in tobacco control is effective.
"Although our daily cigarette smoking prevalence continues to be one of the lowest around the world, we cannot afford complacency, especially in the face of the fact that the smoking prevalence of certain groups did not see any significant decrease. We also face challenges posed by e-cigarettes which have become more popular."
About 2.6% of Primary Four to Six students and 9% of secondary students have tried an e-cigarette, while 1.3% of secondary students regularly use e-cigarettes.
"The Government is therefore considering prohibiting import, manufacture, sale, distribution and advertising of e-cigarettes through legislation with an aim to protect public health. We hope that the relevant amendment bill can be introduced into the Legislative Council soon. In the meantime, the Government will continue to educate the public on the potential harms of e-cigarettes," Prof Chan said.
The Government will work closely with its community partners, step up health education and promotion to raise public awareness of the hazards of smoking, second-hand and third-hand smoke.
Smoking cessation services will be boosted to attract more smokers to quit.
