Hong Kong asked to reflect
Fontem Ventures, the business behind blu® e-vapor products, today submitted to the Hong Kong Chief Executive’s office evidence that vaping can contribute to tobacco harm reduction and potentially improve health outcomes for Hong Kong’s adult smokers.
“We are asking the Hong Kong government to reconsider their proposal for a blanket ban on vaping, which will impact the lives of current adult vapers, and those smokers who may consider switching to a potentially less harmful product,” said Hon Lik, the inventor of the original e-cigarette and a consultant to Fontem Ventures’ research & development team.
“We understand Hong Kong’s cautious stance on vaping and its concern over the reports of vaping by minors in the US,” he said. “Nevertheless, prohibition is likely to be counter-productive, and the evidence from countries including the US and the UK suggests pragmatic regulation of vaping can help accelerate declines in smoking rates among adults.”
In its filing, Fontem said e-vapor devices should be made legal for purchase by adults in Hong Kong, and that adult smokers should be empowered to make informed choices.