Following the February proposal to increase the cigarette tax, a government- commissioned survey has found broad support of the measure, while hundreds of people took to the streets in protest.

According to a report by the Associated Press, on 22 March several hundred individuals protested the recent proposal to raise Hong Kong's tax on cigarettes by 50 per cent, accusing the government of favouring the rich a year after it proposed eliminating wine duty.
Meanwhile, a survey published by the Food and Health Bureau on 26 March finds that 86 per cent of respondents support the government's overall anti-smoking measures and that almost 70 per cent supported raising the duty by at least HKD 24 (EUR 2.31) per pack of cigarettes, as proposed. More than 70 per cent supported full implementation of a smoking ban in indoor areas of bars, clubs, night clubs, bathhouses, massage establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises. Only 10 per cent were against the measure.
A research firm coordinated the March survey by conducting telephone interviews with 1,018 people.
Hong Kong financial secretary John Tsang explained in his February budget speech that he proposed the cigarette tax hike for "public health reasons." (pi)