Hong Kong to strip logos and branding from cigarette packs starting in March

All logos, colourful designs and branding will be stripped from cigarette packs in Hong Kong under new rules that take effect in March next year as part of a fresh push to reduce smoking rates.

The Department of Health announced on Thursday that subsidiary legislation would require all retail packs of cigarettes, long cigarette boxes and specified cigars to drop brand logos and advertising elements. Only brand and…