From April 30, Hong Kong will ban anyone from holding alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes, herbal cigarettes and heated cigarettes in public places, according to the Hong Kong Government’s Department of Health. Consumers are also liable to a minimum fine of HK $3,000 and a maximum fine of HK $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment. Hong Kong’s Department of Health also made it clear that there would be no transitional period and no“First-offence exemption”.
The penalties are divided into two categories based on the number of offences in possession
Under the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, any person who uses or carries an activated alternative smoking product is presumed to be in possession. From 30 April 2026 onwards, alternative tobacco substances will be in possession in public places, divided into two classes according to the quantity in possession:
For possession of not more than 5 cartridges, 5 ml of cigarette oil, 100 heated cigarettes or 100 rolls of herbal tobacco, the tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health will issue a fixed penalty notice to the offender, subject to a fine of HK $3,000. If a person fails or refuses to provide identification documents, or wilfully obstructs a law enforcement officer in the performance of his/her duties, etc. , inspectors of the tobacco and alcohol control office may prosecute him/her by summons, subject to a fine of up to HK $10,000.
Over this limit will be prosecuted. On summary conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
It is important to note that no advance warning is given during the enforcement process. If a person smokes an alternative smoking product in a non-smoking area, he will be issued with two fixed penalty notices for“Smoking in a non-smoking area” and“Possession of an alternative cigarette in a public place”.
No transitional period, no first exemption
Hong Kong’s Department of Health told reporters that the law has been strictly enforced since April 30, with no transition period and no education system of“First warning, then fine for first violation”. Visitors to Hong Kong will be treated equally and will not be exempted because of their tourist status.
(CCTV correspondents, Zhou weiqi and Feng Liangchen)