Legislators have made a last-ditch appeal to the government to amend the 41.5 percent tobacco tax increase to soften the blow for smokers. The rise should be spread over five years, which means each Kent cigarette stick will cost 20 HK cents more a year, said New People's Party legislator Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee.Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong legislator Wong Ting-kwong said although the move may help people reduce smoking or quit the habit, the percentage increase is too high.
