Waterpipe tobacco won't be banned: Health bureau

This was in response to a report which claimed that the government is considering a ban.

The Health Bureau clarified that rather than banning waterpipe tobacco, it has proposed to prohibit flavours in smoking products, including waterpipe tobacco.

This was in response to a local media report which claimed that the government is considering a ban on waterpipe tobacco and that the measure will lessen tourists from the Middle East's desire to visit Hong Kong.

Additionally, the bureau pointed out that it initially proposed to prohibit flavours in smoking products in June, noting it did not propose banning all kinds of waterpipe tobacco.

Separately, the bureau explained that the ban will have a limited impact on the experience of Muslim tourists visiting Hong Kong.

The bureau noted that whilst Islam is widely followed in the Middle East and alcohol consumption or bar patronage is not prevalent, venues offering outdoor waterpipes in Hong Kong are mostly bars.

Furthermore, the Health Bureau remarked that in other regions, the number of inbound tourists from the Middle East before and after the ban remained comparable.