'Illegal cigarette problem getting worse'

The Long-term Tobacco Policy Concern Group on Thursday said the sale of illegal cigarettes is becoming a more serious problem in Hong Kong, with free trial packets even handed out in the streets. The group warned that such cigarettes could be harmful to health, because it's not clear what ingredients they contain. Tsui Yuen, a member of the group, said he now sees promotional teams handing out free trial packets of illegal cigarettes. "I run into them once or twice in Kwun Tong every week, there are no regulations! Where is the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office?" Convener of the group Joe Lo said these promotional squads also encourage people to keep in contact with them. "Smokers are also invited to join the Telegram group to receive more promotional advertisements and to keep in contact," he said. The group also warned against a plan by the government to ban fruit-flavoured cigarettes. It said a recent survey it carried out involving 297 people who smoked fruit-flavoured cigarettes found that two thirds would try to find illicit products if a ban came into effect.