Hong Kong will ban the possession of alternative smoking products in public places starting from April 30th.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Department of Health announced that starting from April 30, Hong Kong will prohibit anyone from possessing alternative smoking products (such as electronic cigarettes, herbal cigarettes, and heated cigarettes) in public places. It is illegal for consumers to even carry these products without smoking them, and if caught, they may face a minimum fine of 3,000 Hong Kong dollars, with a maximum fine of up to 50,000 Hong Kong dollars and 6 months' imprisonment. The Department of Health in Hong Kong also clarified that there is no transitional period for the new regulations, and there is no "first violation warning before punishment". According to the Hong Kong "Smoke-free 2025 (Amendment) Ordinance", anyone who smokes or carries activated alternative smoking products is considered to be in possession. Starting from April 30, 2026, possessing alternative smoking substances in public places will be divided into two categories based on the quantity: For those holding no more than 5 cartridges, 5 ml of e-liquid, 100 heated tobacco sticks, or 100 herbal cigarettes, the Tobacco Control Office of the Department of Health will issue a fixed penalty notice to the offender, imposing a fine of 3,000 Hong Kong dollars. If the person fails or refuses to provide identity documents, deliberately obstructs law enforcement officers in carrying out their duties, etc., the Tobacco Control Office inspectors may prosecute in the form of a summons, with a maximum fine of up to 10,000 Hong Kong dollars. If the quantity exceeds the above standard, it will be dealt with in prosecution form, and once convicted through a summary procedure, the offender may face a maximum fine of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars and 6 months' imprisonment. The Department of Health in Hong Kong stated that strict enforcement will be carried out from April 30, with no transitional period, and there is no "first warning, then fine" educational mechanism for first-time violations. Visitors to Hong Kong will be treated equally, and tourist status will not exempt them from compliance.