HONG KONG – Smoking rate in Hong Kong has dropped to a record low, continuing a steady decline from 23.3 percent in the early 1980s to 8.5 percent in 2025, according to survey results announced by the Department of Health.

The number of people who habitually use alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products on a daily basis has also dropped, officials said, attributing the success to the effectiveness of the special administrative region government's tobacco control strategies in safeguarding public health.

The department announced the milestone on Wednesday alongside the launch of the “Quit in June” campaign.

To encourage and assist smokers in kicking the habit, the Department of Health has announced several supportive measures, including one that is deploying artificial intelligence to provide personalized smoking cessation counseling services.

The Census and Statistics Department published the thematic household survey report on Wednesday after a survey on smoking habits from July to October last year.

According to the report, around 540,000 Hong Kong citizens smoked conventional cigarettes daily at the time of the survey, accounting for 8.5 percent of all residents aged 15 and above, down from the 9.1 percent recorded in 2023.

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On alternative smoking products, the report said the proportion of people aged 15 and above who used e-cigarettes daily in 2025 was 0.1 percent, down from 0.2 percent in 2023.

The proportion of daily users of heated tobacco products, meanwhile, dropped from 0.1 percent in 2023 to a level beyond accurate estimation.

Manny Lam, head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the department, said the decline of the smoking rate in the city to a record low is the result of years of concerted efforts by the public and various sectors of the community, making Hong Kong an international role model for successful tobacco control.

“Since the ban on alternative smoking products took effect in April 2022, the number of users has continued to fall, demonstrating the effectiveness and importance of implementing the ban,” he said.

He stressed that the SAR government aims to reduce the appeal of smoking products, including alternative smoking products and various flavored cigarettes, to prevent the next generation from becoming addicted to tobacco.

“The latest survey results also show that smoking rates among younger age groups remain at very low levels, reflecting that the younger generation no longer accepts smoking behavior, which is highly aligned with the government's goals and societal expectations,” added Lam.

Chairman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health Henry Tong said implementing plain packaging for conventional smoking products and banning flavored cigarettes would effectively reduce the promotional effect and appeal of tobacco products.

During this year’s “Quit in June” campaign, the department will distribute free one-week smoking cessation drug trial packs at over 300 community pharmacies, smoking cessation clinics, district health centers, and the department clinics.

To help alleviate withdrawal symptoms in smokers who wish to quit, designated Chinese medicine clinics will distribute free ear point patches, while a new AI-assisted service, “Chat to Quit” – developed with the University of Hong Kong’s School of Nursing – will provide personalized, interactive counseling. It is also able to provide emotional support and help users practice skills to refuse cigarettes.

People who wish to quit smoking can scan the QR code to access the service for free. For users requiring human counseling, smoking cessation medication support and Chinese Medicine acupuncture smoking cessation services, “Chat to Quit” will also make necessary referrals.

In commendation for the SAR in the field of tobacco control, the World Health Organization earlier this month awarded the World No Tobacco Day Award to Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau. This followed the World No Tobacco Day Director-General's Special Recognition Award presented to then secretary for food and health York Chow Yat-ngok in 2011, and the World No Tobacco Day Award to the Department of Health in 2019, the bureau said in a statement on Tuesday night.