'Tobacco Sales Ban For Youngsters Not Effective'

A concern group on Wednesday questioned the effectiveness of a proposal banning younger generations from buying tobacco products.

The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health said last month that health authorities were considering banning those born after 2008 from buying tobacco products, noting that New Zealand has the same plan.

More than 400 people took part in a recent survey conducted by the group Community Development Pulsation. A quarter of the respondents were aged between 12 and 17.

About 70 percent of the youngsters said they can obtain cigarettes through other means even if a ban is to be put in place.

“We don’t think it’s a very productive way, since teenagers can still get cigarettes from their friends or other people,” said Iris Chan, the group's community manager.

To reduce youth exposure to tobacco, the group proposed making it a criminal offence for anyone who purchases tobacco on behalf of minors and stressed the need to target those taking part in the trading of illicit cigarettes.

The group also said nearly 90 percent of those surveyed believe a complete ban on tobacco sales would strip people of their right to make personal choices.

The group added the public is concerned about the impact of secondhand smoke, as over 80 percent of the respondents believe that government should expand a ban on smoking in outdoor public places.