Hong Kong must ramp up efforts to promote responsible drinking if it cuts liquor tax: lawmaker
While Simon Lee notes trade benefits, former assistant director of health Dr Regina Ching says relaxing liquor tax will be ‘regressive’ for city
Hong Kong must ramp up its promotion of responsible drinking as a mitigation measure if the government pushes ahead with a cut to the city’s liquor tax, a lawmaker has said, while a former health official has called the move “regressive” for society.
Lawmaker Simon Hoey Lee said on a radio show on Monday that relaxing the city’s liquor tax would foster the growth of the spirits trade, and suggested the government reduce it gradually over three years – cutting 30 per cent each in the first two years before slashing 40 per cent in the third year – to review its social and economic impact.
But he also pointed out that more mitigation efforts must be put in place on the public health side, saying current efforts to promote responsible drinking in the city lacked visibility.
“There’s been a goal, but it hasn’t received much attention in the past,” Lee said.
“There is no comprehensive system or package to remind people about drinking responsibly.”
Lee called for the measures as political parties and industry groups lobbied the government before the chief executive’s policy address on Wednesday to either lift or adjust the 100 per cent tax on drinks with an alcohol content of over 30 per cent to boost the city’s status as a spirits trade and export hub.
