The Hong Kong Alliance for Advocacy Against Alcohol on Sunday urged the government not to cut spirits tax, saying it would pose a significant public health risk. Industry representatives earlier urged the administration to consider slashing duties from the current 100 percent to 20 percent to stimulate the market and boost sales. Speaking on a radio programme, the group’s honorary secretary, Regina Ching, said over 3.7 million people die each year around the world because of alcohol, noting that alcohol is linked to over 200 diseases and injuries. “We're really very concerned, especially in the healthcare sector. That's because spirits have a very high alcohol concentration. For example, even if you drink a small amount of spirits, the alcohol concentration is the equivalent of drinking several cans of beer,” she said. Ching, who’s also a former assistant director of health, warned that young people may be tempted to try strong alcohol if the price is lowered. “That's very dangerous. It's simple - when things are cheaper, people tend to buy more. It's particularly concerning for those who should be more protected—the young people—who are more sensitive to the prices of alcoholic products. Therefore, if you reduce the prices, they will be tempted to try it,” she said. She also noted that the government had formulated the Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in 2018, with the aim of significantly reducing the rate of alcohol consumption by next year. The government should fully implement its policies related to alcohol control, including raising alcohol taxes, limiting sales and enhancing promotion for non-drinking, if it still aims to reach this goal, she stressed.
