HONG KONG SET TO BAN E-CIGARETTES

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Hong Kong is taking a harsher stance on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), proposing a complete ban on possession of all alternative smoking products (ASPs), including for personal use.

Hong Kong announced the proposed ban citing public health concerns and a growing consensus for stricter regulations.

This comes two years after the city prohibited the import, manufacture, and sale of these products.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau, said, they will implement a full ban on all alternative smoking products, referring to the government’s official term for e-cigarettes and similar products. Notably, Hong Kong already bans the possession of e-cigarettes for commercial purposes. This new proposal would extend the ban to individual users, even if they intend to vape privately.

This builds upon existing strict laws that penalize import of e-cigarettes with up to seven years in jail and a $256,000 fine, while sellers and manufacturers face up to six months imprisonment.

“There’s a clear societal consensus for a blanket ban on ASPs, The time has come to eliminate all forms of possession, regardless of personal use,” stated Deputy Secretary for Health Eddie Lee. The city further strengthened its anti-smoking measures by prohibiting smoking in outdoor public queue lines and sharing cigarettes with minors.

The government also proposed banning flavoured tobacco, which officials said survey results showed particularly appealed to women and young people.

Lo hoped the e-cigarette ban and other proposals would be introduced to the legislature this year. Hong Kong authorities hope to reduce the smoking prevalence rate to 7.8 percent by next year, down from 9.1 percent in 2023.

The World Health Organisation reported in 2023 that 34 countries have banned the sale of e-cigarettes, while 87 have full or partial regulation.