The Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the government is still working towards the target of reducing the smoking rate to 7.8 percent next year. His comments came during a radio program, saying that authorities have no plans to revise the goal to limit the smoking rate to 7.8 percent and are confident it can be achieved. However, preliminary data showed that after the increase in tobacco taxes, the smoking rate declined. Lo said the government conducted a public consultation on tobacco control policies last year. In addition, the health chief mentioned that the charges for public medical services, not limited to emergency room charges, are being reviewed.

Source: The Standard March 10, 2024 11:28 UTC