Join hands to support the new phase of tobacco control measures – “Smoke-free Sportswear Day” promotes a healthy lifestyle and Encourages society to build a Tobacco-free Hong Kong

The World Health Organization (WHO) designates 31 May every year as World No Tobacco Day to raise global awareness of tobacco use and its detrimental effects. The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) organizes publicity programmes every year to support World No Tobacco Day. This year, COSH organized a kick-off ceremony cum carnival for World No Tobacco Day alongside Smoke-free Sportswear Day on 30 May. This comes in the context of continued deliberations within the Legislative Council (LegCo) of Hong Kong, which has been discussing the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 recently introduced by the Government. Government officials and industry representatives from healthcare, academia, education, home-school cooperation and social enterprises, business, sports, arts, youth programme teams, smoking cessation organizations, tobacco control experts, and students attended the event and urged the public to support the Bill. COSH hopes for the Bill to be passed as soon as possible so that more effective tobacco control measures can be implemented to build a tobacco-free Hong Kong.

The ceremony was officiated by Mr CHAN Tsz-tat (Commissioner of Customs and Excise), Dr Ronald LAM Man-kin (Director of Health), Mr Andy YEUNG Yan-kin (Director of Fire Services), Mr Eddie LEE Lik-kong (Deputy Secretary for Health, Health Bureau), Mr Henry FAN Hung-ling (Chairman, Hospital Authority), Mr Henry TONG Sau-chai (COSH Chairman), Dr Johnnie CHAN Chi-kau (COSH Vice-chairman) and Ms Vienna LAI Wai-yin (COSH Executive Director).

Dr Ronald LAM Man-kin, Director of Health said, “To tackle the tobacco industry’s use of packaging design, flavouring and additives, and misleading promotional methods to beautify deadly products, the government is implementing new tobacco control measures, including banning flavoured cigarettes and implementing plain packaging requirements, in order to minimise the attractiveness and promotional effects of smoking products. This will help us to further reduce tobacco use across our society, protecting public health and reducing the burden on the healthcare system.”

Mr Henry TONG Sau-chai, COSH Chairman remarked, “The Bill marks a significant step for tobacco control in Hong Kong, incorporating opinions from COSH and the public to help protect children, the elderly, and patients against secondhand smoke in public spaces. The Bill also demonstrates the Government’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding public health.”. He emphasised that objections have been raised against strengthening tobacco control measures in Hong Kong, with claims that the proposed tobacco policies would negatively impact the catering industry. However, data has proven such allegations to be unfounded, showing instead that a smoke-free environment would be crucial to the recovery of Hong Kong’s tourism industry, helping to enhance the city’s competitiveness and attractiveness. Mr TONG reiterated that the Bill’s objective is to protect the public against tobacco hazards. He was confident that Hong Kong could gradually become a tobacco-free city through the Government’s dedication and support from society. He urged the society to support the Bill and looked forward to LegCo to promptly pass the Bill for protecting public health and take responsibility for future generations.

Artist Mr Lawrence CHENG and St. Catharine's School for Girls, winner of the Smoke-free Elite Teens Programme 2025, participated in a discussion on tobacco hazards to encourage the public to stay away from tobacco products and foster a smoke-free environment in Hong Kong. Prof LAM Tai-hing, Emeritus Professor, Honorary Clinical Professor of the School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Dr. Lobo LOUIE Hung Tak, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Health and Physical Education of The Education University of Hong Kong, and artist Angie MAK shared tips to encourage family members to quit smoking and highlighted the benefits of a smoke-free family for children. They also demonstrated “zero-time exercise” to encourage the public to quit smoking through sports without restrictions on time and location.

COSH organized a fun and inclusive publicity programme under the theme of “Join Hands for a Tobacco-free Hong Kong”, calling for wider public participation in “Smoke-free Sportswear Day” on 31 May. This is the fifth consecutive year that COSH has held “Smoke-free Sportswear Day”, creating a carnival-like atmosphere to encourage members of the public to dress sporty and take part in sport activities. In particular, smokers were invited to do exercises to increase their chances of successfully quitting.

COSH is soliciting public support for the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025, seeking to have the LegCo pass the Bill as soon as possible, so that stronger tobacco control measures can be implemented, in what would be a significant step forward to building a tobacco-free city. The carnival was held and supported by eight organizations and smoking cessation service providers, offering games and exhibition booths to enhance participants’ awareness of tobacco hazards, smoking cessation and tobacco control.

Companies, organizations, non-profits, hospitals and schools have been invited to encourage their staff, members, teachers and students to participate in and support the “Smoke-free Sportswear Day”, paving the way to a tobacco-free future. For more information about the “Smoke-free Sportswear Day”, please visit the website at https://exercise.smokefree.hk.

 

Officiating guests demonstrated their commitment to tobacco control and called for public support for the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025.

Mr Henry TONG Sau-chai, COSH Chairman urged the public to support the Bill with the priority on protecting public health and being responsible for future generations.

Dr Ronald LAM Man-kin, Director of Health said the government is implementing new tobacco control measures in order to minimise the attractiveness and promotional effects of smoking products.

Mr CHAN Tsz-tat, Commissioner of Customs and Excise said Hong Kong Customs is committed to combating illicit cigarettes and further reducing the smoking prevalence rate.

 

Mr Andy YEUNG Yan-kin, Director of Fire Services, hoped to create a smoke-free and safe Hong Kong.

Health Experts demonstrated “zero-time exercise” to encourage the public to quit smoking through sports without restrictions on time and location.

 

Interesting and informative game booths were set up, delivering smoke-free messages which were well received and actively engaged by participants.