The Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 came into effect today (30th), and the import, manufacture, sale, distribution and promotion of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes is completely prohibited in Hong Kong.
Tobacco and alcohol control inspectors of the Department of Health inspected retail outlets of alternative smoking products today and found no violations. The Department of Health reminded that offenders could be fined up to $50,000 and imprisoned for six months.
Hong Kong will completely ban the import, manufacture, sale, distribution and promotion of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes from today. A spokesman for the Department of Health said that the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors had visited more than 230 retail outlets of alternative smoking products before the Ordinance came into effect. There are still a few retail outlets that sell alternative smoking products. The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspector has reminded store staff that the new law prohibits the sale of alternative smoking products and urged them to abide by the law.
Tobacco and alcohol control inspectors visited the above-mentioned premises again today, but no violations have been found so far.
Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office will arrange for officers in plain clothes to enforce the law
The spokesman said the ban covers e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, herbal cigarettes and their accessories.
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will begin investigations and enforcement actions in response to complaints today.
In addition to inspections, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office will also arrange for officers in plain clothes to enforce the law, as well as conduct joint operations with other law enforcement agencies. Violators are also reminded that offenders can be fined up to $50,000 and imprisoned for six months.
Electronic cigarettes | Stores banned from selling electronic cigarettes since Saturday said that most of the cigarette machines have been booked and cleared before midnight. On the eve of the ban on electronic cigarettes, smuggling groups stocked up in advance and customs inspected $15 million of illicit cigarettes and electronic cigarettes | Concern group worried about ban After-sales turn to black market Smoking and Health Committee advocates doubling the cigarette tax on e-cigarettes｜A total ban on sales from 4.30 The concern group is dissatisfied that traditional cigarettes can still be sold: a series of bans
