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 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.
