On Thursday's Backchat, we're talking about smoking trends ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31.

This year's annual event focuses on reducing smoking among the world's youth, and stopping tobacco companies from targeting the next generation. That comes as figures show more children than adults now use e-cigarettes around the world.


Close to 40 jurisdictions including Hong Kong have already prohibited vaping products. But experts are divided about whether such bans deprive smokers of "safer" alternatives.


So how prevalent is smoking among Hong Kong's youth? And what more can be done to prevent the next generation from smoking?


After 9:45, we learn more from the latest airline ratings, which saw Cathay Pacific rank world's third best airline. Has the Boeing saga had an impact on this year's results?


9:05am-9:45am: World No Tobacco Day


9:05am-9:45am: Judith Mackay, Director of the Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control
9:05am-9:30am: Derek Cheung, Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing and Member of the Smoking Cessation Research Team, The University of Hong Kong 
9:30am-9:45am: Clarisse Yvette Virgino, Representative, Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates


9:45am-10:00am: Cathay Pacific ranking world's third best airline

9:45am-10:00am: Geoffrey Thomas, Editor in Chief of Airlineratings.com