The average tar and nicotine yields of cigarettes sold in Hong Kong fell slightly over the past year.

The Department of Health's latest review on Hong Kong's 79 best-selling cigarettes has found their average tar and nicotine yields are 10.5 milligrams and 0.84 milligrams per cigarette (mg/cig) respectively, representing respective falls of 0.3 mg/cig and 0.01 mg/cig compared with the previous year.

Of the 79 brands, 35 are classified in the low-tar group (0-9 mg/cig), 33 in the middle-tar group (10-14 mg/cig), and 11 in the high-tar group (15-17 mg/cig).

The Government Chemist has been reviewing tar and nicotine yields since 1983 and publishing findings annually. More details of the review are available on the Government Laboratory's website.

The department reminds people that smoking and second-hand smoke are hazardous to health. Anyone wanting to quit smoking can contact the Department of Health's Smoking Cessation Hotline on 2961 8883.

For more information, visit the Tobacco Control Office's website or call 2961 8823.