Lee was assuaging concerns a day after the administration came up with more legislative changes targeting smoking through the Tobacco Control Legislation Amendment Bill gazetted on Friday.
Key measures include the expansion of no-smoking areas, as well as banning the possession of alternative smoking products in public spaces and the sale of flavoured tobacco products.
Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, Lee said he believes the proposed measures would not affect inbound passengers, especially tourists.
“Take the ban on possession of alternative smoking products as an example,” he said.
“Some people say such a ban might reduce travellers’ desire to visit Hong Kong.
“But bear in mind that three years ago, Hong Kong society reached a consensus, and the Legislative Council passed a law enforcing the ban on the sale and import of alternative smoking products.
“So basically, inbound passengers have not been allowed to bring such products into Hong Kong since.”
Officials also proposed that smoking be banned at queues for public transport and at entrances to specified premises – hospitals, clinics, sports grounds and theme parks.
Lee said the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office would be the main enforcement body and is currently preparing for the measures’ implementation phase.
He stressed that the goal is never to antagonise the general public, saying officers will adopt a people-oriented approach when the law, if approved by lawmakers, first comes into effect at the beginning of next year.
On the same programme, the Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise Wong Ho-yin dismissed claims that the stricter measures would lead to the trade in illicit cigarettes becoming more active.
Wong noted that the number of illicit cigarettes seized by Customs officers actually fell when the duty on cigarettes was increased over the past two years.
Specifically, seizures dropped from 730 million sticks in 2022 to 610 million sticks in 2024.
“That is because our enforcement strategy of targeting at the source is effective,” Wong said.
“We successfully intercepted some supply chains and prevented illicit cigarettes from entering Hong Kong.
“Our efforts focus on cracking down on street-level illicit cigarette trading, and enforcement has always been very strict.
“Through strengthening public awareness and conveying anti-illicit cigarette messages to the public, the effectiveness has been very high, which has also caused illicit cigarette activities to gradually diminish.
“Therefore, I can say that Customs has not found any worsening in illicit cigarette activities.”
The bill will be tabled in the Legislative Council for vetting next Wednesday.
