Smoking (Public Health) (Notices) (Amendment) Order gazetted

The Smoking (Public Health) (Notices) (Amendment) Order ("the Amendment Order") was gazetted on 21 April 2017.  The Amendment Order seeks to amend the health warnings on packets or retail containers of tobacco products.

Highlights of the amendments on the prescribed forms (including specifications) of the health warnings for the packet or retail container of tobacco products are as follows,

1. the area of the graphic health warning shall be of a size that covers at least 85% of two largest surfaces of the packet or the retail container;
2. the number of forms of health warning will increase from six to twelve;
3. the following health warning message is to be included in the existing statement “HKSAR GOVERNMENT WARNING” / “香港特區政府忠告市民” –
        “QUIT SMOKING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS” / 
         “請為你的下一代戒煙”；及
         “QUITLINE: 1833 183” / “戒煙熱線：1833 183”；and
4. the indication of tar and nicotine yields should be printed on a surface of the packet or retail container of cigarettes other than a surface bearing the health warning.

The commencement date of the Amendment Order is 21 October 2017, meaning the date on which the Amendment Order comes into operation.  A transitional period of 6 months is provided counting from the commencement date.  Compliance with the requirements of either the current or new specifications of the health warnings will be taken to be compliance with the Amendment Order in the transitional period of 6 months from 21 October 2017.

Please refer to the website of the Government of the HKSAR Gazette for details.