Hong Kong may reverse its ban on the re-export of e-cigarettes and other heated tobacco products by land and sea transport by the end of this year as part of efforts to ignite growth, the Post has learned.

But an economist on Monday warned the move would undermine the credibility of city authorities if they backtracked on their promise to curb tobacco use and also weaken the promotion of public health.

“Senior officials are mulling over the relaxation of the transshipment ban on re-exporting the alternative smoking products from Hong Kong, given the significant values of the re-export,” a government insider said.