How much money should I bring to Hong Kong?

How much are cartons (or packs) of cigarettes in Hong Kong?

• I will be leaving for Hong Kong next friday and I am unsure of how much additional money I will have to bring in order to purchase two cartons of cigs from Hong Kong. I am looking into buying mild sevens, DJ mix, or Marlboros. *Please do not lecture me on smoking, I need a straight answer*

• Answer:

  Cigarettes are very expensive in Hong Kong due to the local government's efforts to reduce smoking. Substantial excise taxes are included in the price of every pack of cigarette. The goal of the excise tax is to reduce smoking by making cigarettes unaffordable. This is the same anti-smoking policy used in many other countries. A pack of cigarettes (20 individual cigarettes) in Hong Kong costs HK$30 to HK$40. That equals US$3.87 to US$5.16. Cigarettes may be purchased for a much lower price at the airport duty free shop by international travelers, but you are limited to 2 cartons (400 individual cigarettes) from a Customs enforcement perspective. Duty free purchases are only available to international travelers while in transit.