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Visitors to HK only allowed 19 cigarettes

By Jia Xu (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-08-02 15:53

New Hong Kong tobacco regulations came into force on Aug 1 restricting the number of cigarettes incoming passengers can carry to 19, according to www.stnn.cc.

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The new regulation issued by Hong Kong legislative authority, aims to curb smoking, however on the first day of the new rules, one reporter found the 19-cigarettes policy brought trouble for passengers.

Passengers who bought a whole pack of cigarettes, normally containing 20, had to either drop one before declaring at customs or pay 3.2 Yuan tariff which takes about 30 minutes per person.

In the past travelers entering Hong Kong were allowed to bring in up to 60 duty-free cigarettes, that is, three packs.

Public opinion on this new regulation is mixed.

“It is understandable to restrict purchasing duty-free cigarettes in order to promote smoking less however, the number 19 really brings too much trouble, and is too time consuming. Why can’t it be 20？” a respondent surnamed Lee complained.