Financial Secretary Paul Chan faced repeated questions on Friday as to why Hongkongers are still obliged to wear masks, as members of the public complained about the policy during a phone-in on the budget.

“It’s very difficult to persuade people that we’re a leading international centre when we’re the last on the planet to remove masks,” one caller to an RTHK show said.

“If the government really wants to make Hongkongers happy again, why not give them control over their rights again by allowing them to choose whether to wear masks or not?” asked another caller, making a reference to a planned "Happy Hong Kong" campaign.

“Imagine you and your family are travelling and looking at various locations in Asia, would you personally choose a country with a mask mandate to take your family to, against one that doesn't?” another caller questioned.

In response, the minister said the mask requirements will likely be dropped at “the end of the season”, adding that the matter is high on the government's agenda.

“This policy is still there on health grounds. My colleagues in the Health Bureau have been given a very clear message as to the community's aspirations to take off the masks as quickly as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Judith Mackay, the director of the Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control, called to thank the finance minister for increasing tobacco tax.

Asked if the government would further raise the tax, Chan said he would keep this in mind, but the financial burden on poorer residents must also be considered.

“We’re conscious of the fact that even with this thirty percent increase in tobacco duty, we’re still below the World Health Organisation’s guidelines. Our policy objective is to reduce the cigarette smoking population particularly among our young generation,” he said.

Chan also said on the programme that people should not expect spending vouchers to be dished out every year. In the coming months, most adult residents will get a third round of electronic vouchers, worth HK$5,000.