Hong Kong to impose 2‑tier penalty for carrying vapes in public from April 30

Officers will conduct enforcement in plain clothes against the use of e-cigarettes in public.

Photo: Nora Tam Anyone in Hong Kong found carrying more than five vape pods or 100 heat sticks in public will face a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and up to six months in jail from April 30, while those with smaller quantities will receive a fixed penalty of HK$3,000.

The amended tobacco control law also provides for a future territory-wide ban on such products although no timeline has been set, the government said on Thursday. “The government decided to implement the ban in phases, starting with public places, due to concerns about the enforcement challenges of banning the products in private residences,” Dr Manny Lam Man-chung, head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, said. “We would consider the second phase if we run the first one smoothly.” (From left) Neil Chan, Dr Manny Lam and Dr Grace Wong at a press briefing.

Photo: Emily Hung From April 30, anyone found to carry a small quantity of alternative tobacco products – not more than five e-cigarette pods, 5 millilitres of vape juice, 100 heat sticks, or 100 herbal cigarette sticks – in public places for non-commercial purposes would be issued a HK$3,000 (US$383) fixed penalty ticket.

Those who fail to produce valid identification or obstruct an enforcement officer may face a summary offence, carrying a maximum fine of HK$10,000.

Individuals found with larger quantities will be prosecuted instead of receiving a fixed penalty with a summary conviction carrying a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and up to six months in jail.

Anyone found to be using or carrying an activated product will be presumed to possess it as well.

Hong Kong banned the import, manufacture, sale, distribution and promotion of alternative smoking products on April 30, 2022. “There is currently no legitimate way to obtain these alternative smoking products in Hong Kong.

If you see anyone holding a vape on the street, the only reasonable explanation is that it is leftover stock from before the 2022 ban,” said Dr Grace Wong Chung-yan, a senior medical and health officer. “It has been nearly four years, and we believe it is now the appropriate time to ban the possession in public places as well … this step is aimed at further protecting the young people from developing a smoking habit.” She said that young people who vaped were three to four times more likely to use traditional cigarettes in the future than those who do not.

Wong added that

原文链接: 南华早报