Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ8: Nicotine contents of cigarettes
Following is a question by the Hon Paul Chan and a written reply by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today
(May 20):
It has been reported that according to the latest test report published by the
Consumer Council in April this year, the nicotine contents of the cigarettes
currently on sale in Hong Kong have increased by 13% on average when compared
with those of last year. Moreover, some medical specialists have pointed out
that the higher the nicotine contents of cigarettes, the greater the chance of
smokers suffering from addiction syndrome. In this connection, will the
Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it has looked into the reasons for tobacco companies increasing the nicotine
contents of cigarettes; whether it will require tobacco companies to proactively
notify the government department(s) concerned after they have changed the tar
and nicotine contents of cigarettes;
(b) it will consider legislating to impose a ceiling on the nicotine contents of
the cigarettes on sale in Hong Kong; if it will, of the details; if it will not,
the reasons for that; and
(c) it had studied in the past two years the health hazards caused to smokers by
nicotine in cigarettes; if it had, of the study results; if it had not, the
reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
We must first stress that cigarettes, containing over 4,000 kinds of harmful
chemicals (including more than 50 carcinogens), may cause a number of diseases
such as heart disease and cancer. Smoking is therefore hazardous to health
regardless of its nicotine or tar yields.
At present, Part III of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (the Ordinance)
stipulates that cigarette packets and containers shall bear the nicotine and tar
yields in the prescribed form and manner. Part V of the Ordinance requires that
the Government Chemist may from time to time analyse any cigarette for the
purpose of determining its tar and nicotine yields and may publish the result of
any such analysis. Such analyses are conducted with reports published for public
inspection on an annual basis. Part III of the Ordinance also specifies that it
is an offence for cigarette packets or containers to bear incorrect tar and
nicotine yields, and such an offence is punishable by a fine at level 5 (i.e.
$50,000) on conviction.
Research findings show that nicotine is an addictive element in tobacco
products. Even if the nicotine contents of cigarettes are deliberately reduced,
smokers will, out of addiction, unconsciously modulate their intake of nicotine
by increasing the number of cigarettes they smoke and the frequency and strength
of puffs. Smokers may thus inhale more harmful chemicals contained in
cigarettes, including various carcinogens. Therefore, restricting the nicotine
yield of tobacco products by legislation neither reduces the smoking prevalence
nor the hazards to health. Smoking cessation is the only way to reduce smokers'
risks of developing diseases. In view of the above, the Administration has no
plan to legislate on the nicotine yield of tobacco products or require tobacco
traders to report proactively any change of the nicotine yield. The
Administration will continue to enhance the smoking cessation services provided
for smokers and promote smoking cessation through the Council of Smoking and
Health as well as at the district level.
Ends/Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:52
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