【原文】摘錄自4月26日香港《文匯報》：特區政府刊登《2025年控煙法例（修訂）條例草案》，為去年公布的控煙十招中的8項修訂現有法例，以實施新一階段控煙措施。
煙草禍害嚴重且影響深遠，對公共健康構成重大威脅，這次修訂既符合全民健康及公共衞生福祉，亦是全球大勢所趨，特區政府未來應繼續堅定控煙決心，持續以循序漸進和多管齊下方式朝四大控煙策略方向邁進，與社會各界攜手努力創造潔淨「無煙香港」，提升香港作為亞洲國際都會的形象與魅力。
根據政府統計處數據，2023年本港習慣每日吸食傳統煙的15歲及以上人士的比率為9.1%，代表本港現時仍有約58萬人有每日吸食傳統煙的習慣；而吸煙者因吸煙而引致的各種疾病會為醫療系統和社會整體帶來沉重負擔。
一項本地研究顯示，本港於2021年因使用煙草所引致的健康問題，帶來估計相當於每年約82億港元的經濟損失。這反映煙草對香港社會及公共健康的禍害已迫在眉睫，解決問題刻不容緩，特區政府逐步推動嚴格控煙，不僅是為香港的經濟、形象着想，更是對香港社會和市民健康負責任表現及應有之義。
與此同時，這次修訂提出禁止管有另類吸煙產品，有助減少以電子煙為載具吸食「太空油毒品」問題，可達到一定的「控煙＋禁毒」效果。
有意見指，嚴格的控煙政策會令旅客卻步，不利本港旅遊業發展，這種說法欠缺事實根據。以控煙政策較香港更為嚴格的新加坡為例，其政府自1970年起逐步擴大禁煙範圍，至今已有4.9萬個室內及戶外場所被劃分為禁煙區，在2019年起更將著名旅遊商業區烏節路劃定為禁煙區，整條路的範圍都不准吸煙。
然而，旅客人數並沒有因為嚴格的控煙政策和嚴厲的吸煙罰則而有所下降。根據新加坡旅遊局今年2月公布的數據顯示，2024年訪新的旅客共計1,650萬人次，較2023年上升21%，去年的旅遊業收益累計達298億新加坡元，創歷史新高。新加坡的經驗，充分展示了控煙不但不會對經濟及旅遊業發展造成負面影響，反而無煙健康的香港將會展現先進文明的形象，吸引更多旅客訪港。
在提高罰則、擴大禁煙及監管的同時，相關部門也應持續加強打擊、執法及檢控，特區政府更應注重提升公眾教育和戒煙支援，例如從小教導學生煙草的禍害，將戒煙服務普及至社區零售藥房，向成功戒煙者獎以禮券作為激勵等，增加阻嚇性之餘亦提高戒煙的誘因及方便度。
連同這次修訂在內，特區政府所定下的控煙策略方向及短、中、長期措施都已權衡了措施成效、可操作性和公眾接受程度等因素。為自己、為他人、為下一代，社會各界都應該支持特區政府的控煙工作，齊心遏制煙禍，保障巿民健康，共同創造清新、健康的香港。
Co-creating a Smoke-Free Hong Kong to Safeguard Public Health
【譯文】The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (The Government) has published Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Gazette to make amendments to the existing legislation, marking a new phase in tobacco control efforts. Among the 10 short-term tobacco control measures announced last year, eight of them require legislative amendments. Tobacco poses a severe and far-reaching threat to public health, and this amendment aligns with both the public's health interests and global trends. The Government should continue its resolute commitment to tobacco control, advance towards the four key tobacco control strategies through progressive and multi-pronged approaches, and create a clean, "Smoke-Free Hong Kong" by working hand-in-hand with all sectors of society, so as to enhance the city's image and appeal as Asia's world city.
According to data from the Census and Statistics Department, in 2023, 9.1% of Hong Kong residents aged 15 and above, approximately 580,000 people, had a daily habit of smoking traditional cigarettes. Smoking-related diseases place a heavy burden on the healthcare system and the community as a whole.
A local study revealed that in 2021, health issues caused by tobacco use resulted in an estimated economic loss of HK$8.2 billion annually. This underscores the urgent need to address the harm tobacco inflicts on Hong Kong's society and public health. The Government's phased approach to stringent tobacco control is not only about protecting the economy and the city's image but also a responsible and necessary step towards safeguarding public health. Additionally, the amendment proposes to prohibit the possession of alternative smoking products, which will help curb the use of e-cigarettes as a medium for consuming illegal substances like "space oil drugs", achieving a dual "tobacco control + drug prevention" effect.
Some argue that the stringent tobacco control policy may deter tourists and harm the tourism industry, but this claim lacks evidence. Take Singapore, which has even stricter tobacco control measures than Hong Kong, as an example. Since 1970, Singapore has progressively expanded its smoking bans, designating 49,000 indoor and outdoor locations as no-smoking zones. In 2019, the popular tourist and commercial area of Orchard Road was declared a no-smoking zone in its entirety.
However, tourist numbers have not declined due to these stringent policies or heavy smoking penalties. According to data released by the Singapore Tourism Board this February, Singapore welcomed 16.5 million visitors in 2024, a 21% increase from 2023, with tourism revenue reaching a record S$29.8 billion last year. Singapore's experience clearly demonstrates that tobacco control does not negatively impact the economy or tourism. On the contrary, a smoke-free, healthy Hong Kong will project an image of advanced civilisation and attract more visitors.
While increasing penalties, expanding no-smoking zones, and strengthening regulations, the relevant authorities should also continue to step up their efforts in combating, enforcing and prosecuting smoking. The Government should also focus on enhancing public education and support for smoking cessation, for example, educating students about the dangers of tobacco from a young age, making cessation services available at community pharmacies, and offering vouchers to incentivise successful quitters. These measures would increase deterrence while making quitting more appealing and accessible.
Together with this amendment, the Government's strategic direction of tobacco control and its short, medium and long-term measures have weighed factors such as the effectiveness of the measures, their practicability and public acceptability. For the sake of ourselves, others and the next generation, all sectors of the community should support the Government's tobacco control efforts and work together to curb the menace of smoking, protect public health, and create a clean and healthy Hong Kong.
●Tiffany
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