The "Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025" officially came into effect on April 30. No person shall possess designated alternative smoking products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and herbal cigarettes, in public places. Offenders face a minimum fine of HK$3,000 and a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Manny Lam Man-chung, Head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, said today (May 2) on a radio program that enforcement officers have the power to require violators to provide their contact information and produce identification documents. They also have the power to search and prosecute, but these powers will only be exercised under circumstances of reasonable suspicion, emphasizing that body searches will not be conducted during enforcement.
As of 5:00 p.m. yesterday (May 1), authorities had conducted a total of 216 inspections in areas including Admiralty, Causeway Bay, and Taikoo, issuing 4 fixed penalty notices under the new legislation.
Lam noted that relevant departments have carried out extensive anti-smoking publicity efforts since the beginning of the year, including cooperating with Customs at border checkpoints, as well as collaborating with the Travel Industry Authority and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). Airlines have also been making in-flight announcements reminding passengers of the new measures, disseminating information on social media platforms commonly used in mainland China. Mainland Chinese media have also widely reported on the new smoking ban.
Regarding whether the ban will affect tourists' willingness to visit Hong Kong, Lam stated that more than 30 countries worldwide have implemented similar bans, such as Singapore and Thailand.
"Based on tourist numbers, no evidence that prohibiting such products has impacted their tourism industries."
Additionally, Hong Kong has completely banned the import of alternative smoking products for four years, and visitor arrivals to Hong Kong have continued to rise.
He further stated that to ensure a smoother implementation of the relevant smoking ban, unified tobacco packaging and duty-paid labels will be introduced starting March 1 next year, with a transitional period to be provided.
He continued that while tobacco advertising has been completely prohibited, tobacco companies still use packaging for promotion.
"We hope the new measures will reduce the appeal of packaging, making smokers pay more attention to health warnings and smoking cessation hotlines on the new packaging, thereby reducing the smoking rate."
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HK to ban possession of e-cigarettes in public from April 30: What you need to know
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