Hong Kong must ramp up its promotion of responsible drinking as a mitigation measure if the government pushes ahead with a cut on the city’s liquor tax, a lawmaker has said, while a former health official has called the move “regressive” for society.
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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 in the city, 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 on society.
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. There is no comprehensive system or package to remind people about drinking responsibly,” Lee said.
Lee comments came as political parties and industry groups lobbied for the government before the Chief Executive’s policy address on Wednesday to either lift or adjust the city’s current 100 per cent tax on drinks with an alcohol content of over 30 per cent to boost Hong Kong’s status as a spirits trade and export hub.
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While noting the possible social impacts of increased alcohol consumption, Lee nonetheless supported the adjustment of the liquor tax to boost trade, adding there was also great potential for Hong Kong to export Chinese liquor, such as Baijiu.
