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Edith Lin

Hong Kong authorities have stepped up publicity with mainland Chinese media ahead of a ban on possessing alternative smoking products, including e-cigarettes, in public places, which will take effect before the Labour Day “golden week” holiday.
Director of Health Ronald Lam Man-kin said on Sunday that the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office had conducted more than 11,000 inspections and issued about 2,200 HK$3,000 (US$383) fixed penalty notices so far this year. Of these, 23 were related to the expanded statutory no-smoking areas introduced in January.
Since January 1, no-smoking areas have been extended to within three metres (9.8 feet) of entrances and exits to childcare centres, residential care homes, schools, hospitals and designated clinics or health centres. Smoking is also banned at designated public transport boarding points when people are queuing in groups of two or more.
“The figure is not that high under our frequent inspection. It shows that the public generally understands, accepts and supports the measures. We have stepped up law enforcement, and it has yielded results,” Lam told a radio show.
From April 30, authorities will also ban the possession of alternative smoking products in public places, ahead of the holiday from May 1 to 5.
Lam said publicity at airports and land checkpoints had been stepped up, with officers distributing leaflets to visitors. He added authorities had also worked with mainland media and Hong Kong’s travel sector to promote the new rules.
“It appears that tourists have a strong demand for Hong Kong’s hotels during the golden week holiday. We do not think the new rule will have a particular impact on travellers,” he said.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui earlier said hotel occupancy rates were expected to exceed 90 per cent during the period, with the government estimating about 980,000 mainland visitors would arrive in Hong Kong – up 7 per cent from the same holiday last year.
Lam said the government hoped the new measures would further reduce the city’s smoking rate, which stood at 8.5 per cent last year.
“Following the new measure of banning the possession of alternative smoking products in public places, we believe their effectiveness will surface in the next stage,” he said.
“We hope to further lower the smoking rate to below 8.5 per cent and strive to become the city with the lowest smoking rate in the world.”
From April 30, anyone found carrying small quantities of alternative tobacco products — defined as no more than five e-cigarette pods, 5ml (0.7oz) of vape liquid, 100 heat sticks or 100 herbal cigarette sticks – in public places for non-commercial purposes will be issued a HK$3,000 fixed penalty notice.
Those who fail to produce valid identification or obstruct enforcement officers 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. A summary conviction carries a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and up to six months’ imprisonment.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau earlier defended the city’s efforts even though the 8.5 per cent smoking rate – defined as the proportion of daily cigarette smokers aged 15 and above – exceeded the 7.8 per cent target.
He said the city’s tobacco control strategy had been effective, noting a 30 per cent decline in overall cigarette consumption.


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Hong Kong boosts e-cigarette ban awareness in mainland China before ‘golden week’

Hong Kong has stepped up outreach and enforcement as a ban on possessing e-cigarettes in public takes effect ahead of the Labour Day “golden week”. Photo:  Jonathan Wong

Authorities have extended no-smoking areas to within three metres of building entrances and exits, and at designated public transport boarding points. Photo: Karma Lo

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From next week, an individual who possesses a specified alternative smoking product in a public place commits an offence. Photo: Edmond So

The ban covers e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, as well as specified alternative smoking products such as e-liquids or capsules of e-cigarettes, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes. Photo: Edmond So

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Tourists on the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. The government estimates that 980,000 mainland Chinese travellers will visit the city during the coming holiday. Photo: Karma Lo

Rosanna Law has called on the public to “cherish our travel reputation”. Photo: Edmond So

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Authorities ramp up promotion and enforcement before public possession ban on alternative smoking products begins on April 30


Authorities ramp up promotion and enforcement before public possession ban on alternative smoking products begins on April 30.


Hong Kong boosts e-cigarette ban awareness in mainland China before ‘golden week’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Authorities ramp up promotion and enforcement before public possession ban on alternative smoking products begins on April 30

Authorities ramp up promotion and enforcement before public possession ban on alternative smoking products begins on April 30