Read articles from Hong Kong

February 10, 2025 by businesstimes.com.sg

Hong Kong plans to ban e-cigarette cartridges in public by mid-2026 to combat vaping among youth. Despite a previous ban on e-cigarettes, vaping remains popular. The ban aims to reduce smoking rates and combat illegal drug use through e-cigarettes. Enforcement will start in public areas due to challenges indoors. The legislation, set for April, can result in jail time for importers and fines for sellers. The government also considers outlawing non-menthol cigarettes. The World Health Organization notes 35 countries have prohibited e-cigarette sales. Hong Kong's Secretary for Health emphasized the need for this ban to safeguard young people.

February 10, 2025 by gulfnews.com

Hong Kong plans to ban public use and possession of e-cigarette cartridges by mid-2026 to combat rising vaping rates fueled by illicit trade. The proposal, led by Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau, aims to protect youth and tackle emerging issues like illicit drug use through vaping. Starting with outdoor restrictions, the ban could extend citywide. The strict measures follow Hong Kong's 2022 ban on e-cigarette sales and signal a broader crackdown on tobacco and vaping culture. The government also eyes outlawing non-menthol cigarettes to cut smoking rates further. Offenders already face heavy penalties, including jail time and fines.

February 10, 2025 by timeout.com

Hong Kong plans to ban e-cigarette possession and use in public by mid-2026, expanding a current ban on sales and importation enforced since April 2022. The government aims to combat recreational drug use facilitated by e-cigarettes, with penalties of up to $2 million fine and seven years in jail for importers. A crackdown on flavoured tobacco products, starting with non-menthol cigarettes favored by 40% of smokers, is also part of the bill. The proposal will first target outdoor areas before extending to indoor spaces.

January 24, 2025 by scmp.com

Hong Kong authorities plan to ban e-cigarette cartridges in public areas as part of a citywide effort to reduce vaping and smoking rates to 7.8%. The legislative proposals include banning alternative smoking products and flavored cigarettes. Business leaders worry about the impact on tourism and business. The ban is expected to be implemented in two phases, with the first phase prohibiting smoking and possession of smoking-related materials in public places. The second phase will expand the possession ban citywide. Proposals will be presented to the Legislative Council in the first quarter of this year.

November 28, 2024 by scmp.com

Hong Kong health authorities warn of e-cigarettes being used for drug abuse due to cartridges filled with narcotics. The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office reported cases of space oil, a popular drug, being indistinguishable from regular e-liquids. Easy to conceal and with rapid effects, e-cigarettes are favored by drug users globally. Space oil contains etomidate, an anesthetic needing prescription, classified as a Part 1 poison.

July 12, 2024 by travelandleisureasia.com

Hong Kong is planning to propose stricter tobacco laws and implement control measures to reduce smoking. The Health Bureau intends to impose 10 short-term control measures to create a “tobacco-free Hong Kong.” This includes the total ban on “alternative smoking products,” the government’s term for e-cigarettes or vapes. In recent years, new laws have prohibited the sale of e-cigarettes “for commercial purposes” and smoking products to minors. The Health Bureau’s suggested control measures will further extend these existing laws and propose new ones. Keep reading to find out the full control measures.

June 07, 2024 by scmp.com

Lawmaker Peter Shiu expressed concerns that banning flavored cigarettes in Hong Kong might deter visitors and harm tourism. He questioned the government's goal of making Hong Kong smoke-free, emphasizing the need to consider practical implications. Authorities plan to implement new anti-smoking measures by 2025, including a ban on flavored tobacco products and possession of alternative smoking devices. Deputy Secretary for Health Eddie Lee defended the measures, highlighting the importance of transparency in informing visitors about smoking regulations.

June 07, 2024 by indiatimes.com

Hong Kong recently announced a complete ban on e-cigarettes due to concerns about their impact on the health of young people. This decision was made following a consensus on the matter, with the ban coming two years after the city prohibited the import, manufacture, and sale of such products. "We will fully ban all alternative smoking products," Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said at a news conference, using the government term for products such as e-cigarettes.

June 06, 2024 by hongkongfp.com

Hong Kong plans a blanket ban on e-cigarettes due to health concerns among youth, two years after banning their import and sale. The Secretary for Health announced the ban, extending to possession for personal use with strict penalties. The proposal also includes restrictions on smoking in public spaces and sharing cigarettes with minors. Authorities aim to introduce the ban and other measures to the legislature this year, following global trends in e-cigarette regulation. The ultimate goal is to reduce smoking rates to 7.8% by 2024.