Hong Kong set impose ban on alternative smoking products in public spaces
發佈日期: 2026-04-02 20:43
TVB News
Starting April 30, Hong Kong residents are no longer allowed to possess alternative smoking products in public spaces, including e-cigarettes and cartridges or heat sticks.
Penalties are tiered according to the quantity found, starting at a minimum fine of 3,000 dollars.
The Hong Kong government is tightening smoking control.
Possessing an alternative smoking product in public spaces will be a criminal offence starting April 30.
This means regardless of whether a person is actually consuming them, simply having them in one's pocket is illegal.
Fines will be scaled according to the quantity possessed. Possession of fewer than five capsules, five millilitres of substance, or 100 sticks of heated or herbal tobacco carries a fixed penalty of 3,000 dollars.
Failure to show an ID card or obstructing enforcement can lead to a maximum fine of 10,000 dollars.
Larger quantities carry a 50,000-dollar fine and six months in prison.
But can authorities take action if someone is using them at home?
Grace Wong, senior medical and health officer at the Department of Health said homes are private premises where the ban does not cover at this stage.
So what do residents think? This vaper said, "I vape because some of my friends find the smell of traditional cigarettes unpleasant."
While this man is not a fan of vaping, he believes the government should not strip away people's rights to vape.
The ban on possessing alternative smoking products in public spaces is just one of the government's tobacco control measures.
A paper submitted to the Legislative Council today provides the plain packaging requirement on conventional smoking products.
The standardized cigarette packaging will take effect on December 1 next year.
That means all tobacco packages, including brands and product names will have to be uniformly designed, so as to dampen the promotional effect.
