Hong Kong joins the Asian prohibitionist countries in taking further steps to restrict the use of e-cigarettes. From mid-2026, it will be illegal to possess and use vejps in public places.
Hong Kong is both a city and a so-called 'special administrative region' in southern China, south of Guangdong province. The region enjoys some degree of autonomy, although it is disputed. For example, the US State Department declared in 2020 that it does not consider the area independent from China. However, Hong Kong has a market economy built around international trade and is today considered one of the world's leading financial centres.
The region recently announced, through its Health Minister Lo Chung-mau, that the government will ban the possession and use of e-cigarettes in public places, by mid-2026, as part of the city's ongoing efforts to reduce 1TP8 use.
Prohibitions in several phases
"To protect our young people, we believe it is time to ban the use of e-cigarettes," Lo said in a TV programme, according to Channel News Asia.
The first phase of the ban involves legislation against the use and possession of e-cigarettes outdoors. After that, the authorities plan to extend the ban to indoor environments as well.
The bill is expected to be introduced in the Hong Kong Legislative Assembly in April 2025 with the aim of coming into force in 2026. According to Channel News Asia, Hong Kong's long-term plan is to reduce smoking prevalence to 7.8% by 2025. In the past, the city has also banned the import, sale and manufacture of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
The bans are spreading across Asia
Also neighbouring Vietnam recently introduced an even stricter ban, with e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products being completely banned on 1 January 2025. This means that not only will the manufacture, sale and distribution be banned, but also that individuals - including tourists - can be fined up to 2 million dong (around 900 SEK) if they carry or use these products.
As Road studs reported on many times before There seems to be some sort of unofficial sport among Asian countries in particular to impose the toughest rules against vejpning. Hong Kong is thus joining a growing group of countries imposing strict laws.
Business leaders warn that the ban could negatively affect tourism and business travel. South China Morning Post reports that critics say the restrictions could discourage visitors from travelling to Hong Kong.
Cigarette sales expected to increase
E-cigarettes have been shown in several studies to be a clear substitute in the nicotine market. As e-cigarette sales decline, cigarette sales tend to increase. The sale of smoking tobacco and cigarettes will continue to be allowed in Hong Kong. Almost 10% of the total population smokes, 19% of men. The cigarette trade currently generates 2.2 billion hong kong dollars annually and is predicted to grow by 6 per cent in the coming years. Despite efforts to reduce smoking, Hong Kong is considered a very strong market for cigarettes.
