China became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on January 9, 2006. Hong Kong, as Special Administrative Region of China, is bound by China’s ratification of the treaty.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places and workplaces. The only exceptions to the smoking ban are: hotel rooms, designated areas in airports and correctional/detention facilities, and tasting rooms in cigar shops. Public transport is smoke free with one limited exception: if a bus or taxi is hired as a whole by a private party, smoking is allowed in the vehicle.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Tobacco advertising is broadly banned under the law. The law provides a list of promotional practices that are prohibited, which allows for other promotional practices or leaves uncertain whether those other promotional practices are allowed. There are few restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship. 

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Pictorial health warnings are required for all packets and retail containers of cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and cigarette tobacco. Warnings included both images and text and must occupy 85 percent of both principal display areas (PDAs); Chinese language on one PDA and English language on the other PDA. The government has issued 12 combined picture-and-text warning, which must appear with equal frequency during any continuous 24-month period. Smokeless tobacco products are prohibited in Hong Kong. Misleading terms, descriptors, and other such signs suggesting that one brand is less harmful than another are prohibited.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco tax information from Hong Kong is currently unavailable.