28th April 2025 – (Hong Kong) Leung Lap-yan, the founding president of the Licensed Bar and Club Association of Hong Kong, voiced strong opposition to the government’s recent “Tobacco Control Plan,” which includes a ban on flavoured tobacco and shisha products by 2027. He expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of industry consultation and argued that the proposed policies fail to consider the economic challenges faced by local businesses, potentially damaging Hong Kong’s nightlife and entertainment sector.
Leung pointed out that bars with outdoor spaces, which legally serve shisha, rely on this product for 60 to 70% of their revenue. He warned that banning shisha would severely impact these businesses, especially given the economic downturn and the growing trend of Hong Kong residents traveling to mainland China for leisure.
The industry has already been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Strict restrictions led to the rise of unlicensed “party rooms” and illegal shisha bars, undermining legitimate businesses. Leung suggested that the government should regulate shisha rather than implement an outright ban. He emphasized the need for policies that balance public health concerns with the economic needs of the industry. Leung also pointed to neighboring mainland cities, which have developed vibrant shisha cultures by welcoming world-renowned shisha artists.
Mr. Cheung, an investor in a central Hong Kong bar that also offers shisha, criticized the proposed legislation’s clause that would hold licensees criminally responsible if patrons smoke shisha illegally. He argued that bar owners are not law enforcement officers and that this rule could result in bars being unfairly targeted by competitors. Similar proposals were rejected more than a decade ago after consultations with the industry.
Cheung emphasized that shisha is an important part of the bar experience, similar to offering snacks to encourage patrons to stay longer. He also noted that Hong Kong’s operating environment is already less competitive than mainland China, where there are larger spaces, lower costs, and fewer regulations. The new measures, he argued, would further increase pressure on bars, potentially leading to many closures.
In response, the Health Bureau countered industry claims, stating that only 10% of bars in Hong Kong have outdoor spaces, challenging Leung’s assertion that 30% offer shisha. Leung clarified that many establishments categorized as “bar restaurants” do not hold bar-specific licenses, which may affect the statistics. He also questioned the feasibility of banning flavoured shisha, given that most shisha products are flavoured, leaving few non-flavoured options.
Leung called on the government to engage in more dialogue with the industry, advocating for better regulation of shisha instead of an outright ban. He warned that ignoring the broader socio-economic impacts of such policies could harm Hong Kong’s unique nightlife culture and reduce the city’s appeal to international visitors.
Related Topics:
What Is the Range of the New Tesla
