Health Bureau responds to media enquiries on uniform packaging design for conventional smoking products and duty stamp system
In response to media enquiries today (March 12) regarding the implementation arrangements of the uniform packaging design for conventional smoking products and the duty stamp system, the Health Bureau (HHB) gave the following response:
The Government tentatively plans to fully implement both the uniform packaging design for conventional smoking products and the duty stamp system simultaneously in the second quarter of 2027.
The uniform packaging design and the duty stamp serve distinct purposes. The former aims to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco products, while the latter strengthens efforts to combat "cheap-whites" through duty stamps. Following the simultaneous and full implementation of both measures, all specified tobacco legally sold in Hong Kong must have the duty stamps affixed. There is no basis for an organisation to allege that one would need to identify whether the products are duty-paid through the uniform packaging design alone. It must be emphasised that the uniform packaging design itself is not intended to distinguish duty-paid cigarettes or "cheap-whites". The HHB expressed regret at the dissemination of inaccurate information by the organisation concerned.
The duty stamps will feature both physical and digital anti-counterfeiting technologies, rather than merely the digital anti-counterfeiting features. Physical anti-counterfeiting features are referenced from technologies commonly used in banknotes, and are readily discernible to the naked eye. Therefore, members of the public and retailers can swiftly and conveniently verify the authenticity of the stamps. At present, physical anti-counterfeiting technologies in the market are sufficiently mature to effectively prevent forgery of the stamps. On the other hand, digital anti-counterfeiting features are intended to assist frontline Customs officers in law enforcement. Should members of the public remain uncertain about the authenticity of a duty stamp after examining the physical anti-counterfeiting features, they may report to the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) to facilitate the latter's investigation.
The C&ED concluded the Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System in January this year and has held multiple information sessions to comprehensively introduce the latest developments of the system and future arrangements to the tobacco industry. The C&ED will continue its publicity efforts and encourages the active participation of the industry.
Photo source: reference image
