Hong Kong Introduces New Cigarette Packaging Rules: No Textures on Outer Packaging

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health in Hong Kong announced new rules to standardize the packaging of traditional smoking products. Under these updated regulations, outer packaging cannot have any textures, must use a uniform dark brown color, must remove tar and nicotine logos, and must update 12 health warning images.

Explaining these measures, Tong Sau-chai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, noted that while current cigarette packs must carry health warnings covering at least 85% of the total surface area, some tobacco companies still use the remaining space to promote their products. They do this through carefully designed patterns and bright colors to strengthen brand image and weaken consumer awareness of health risks. In addition, some retail shops display only the colorful sides of cigarette boxes, turning them into moving advertisements that can easily tempt young people to start smoking. To stop these marketing tactics, Hong Kong is introducing standardized cigarette packaging to reduce brand appeal and make tobacco packaging less attractive.

The relevant legislation will be published on September 11 and will take effect on March 1, 2027. All required measures under the law will be fully enforced starting December 1, 2027.