New Tobacco Control Laws: No Smoking Areas Expanded, Penalties Increased Starting January 1, 2026

DH reminds public that new phase of tobacco control measures to take effect on January 1, 2026

The Department of Health (DH) today (December 29) reminded the public that three amendments relating to smoking offences under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (the Amendment Ordinance) will take effect on Thursday (January 1, 2026):

• extension of statutory No Smoking Areas (NSAs) to public places that lie within three metres outside the entrances/exits exclusively used for child care centres, residential care homes, schools, hospitals and specified clinics or health centres;

• prohibition of smoking while queuing (including queuing to board a public transport carrier at a designated boarding location, staying in the delineated area for a designated boarding location, while queuing to enter specified premises (see Annex), or while queuing within specified premises); and

• increase of the fixed penalty for smoking offences from $1,500 to $3,000.

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors of the DH will prosecute any person who does a smoking act in NSAs without prior warning. Offenders will be liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000.

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) has prepared FAQs, pamphlets and other resources to help the public comply with the new law. Members of the public may visit the TACO website for more detailed information. To ensure smooth implementation of the new measures, TACO has enhanced publicity and education efforts over the past few months, such as Announcements in the Public Interest on TV and radio; advertisements on public transport areas at bus stops and at MTR stations; enhanced social media promotion; and the production of guidelines to educate the public. For visitors, TACO has stepped up anti-smoking promotions at all boundary control points, major tourist attractions and bus stops, including distributing leaflets in major tourist spots in collaboration with district councillors and has created an infographic "Visitors' Guide" to enhance visitors' understanding of the new measures. TACO is also promoting to visitors through Chinese Mainland social media.

TACO has also issued implementation guidelines and enhanced interdepartmental co-ordination mechanisms for the new offences under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance to ensure smoother enforcement. Briefings have been held for venue managers to explain the details of the amendment and their enforcement. Beyond enforcement, TACO continues to promote smoking prevention and cessation services, including conducting smoke-free publicity and education in the community to raise public awareness of smoking hazards.

The new phase of tobacco control measures will be implemented in phases. Among them, the increased penalties for illicit cigarettes and the prohibition on provision of smoking products to persons under the age of 18 have already taken effect upon the gazettal of the Amendment Ordinance(September 19, 2025). The provision prohibiting the possession of alternative smoking product (ASP) substances (e.g. e-cigarette liquids/cartridges/ and heat sticks) in public places will take effect on April 30, 2026, i.e. four years after the implementation of the ban on the importation and sale of ASPs. TACO will continue to strengthen publicity, education, etc, in the future to ensure the effective implementation of the relevant tobacco control measures.

For the health of individuals, families and the community, the Government urges smokers to quit smoking as soon as possible. Members of the public may call the Department of Health Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183. The hotline is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referral to a wide range of free smoking cessation services.

DH reminds public that new phase of tobacco control measures to take effect on January 1, 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH reminds public that new phase of tobacco control measures to take effect on January 1, 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH reminds public that new phase of tobacco control measures to take effect on January 1, 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police National Security Department conducts arrest operation

Police noticed that on the evening of August 31, some people were standing outside MTR Prince Edward Station holding bouquets and shouting seditious slogans. The persons concerned were suspected of spreading false information and attacking the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government with lies, as well as smearing the Police Force, with the intention of inciting hatred against the HKSAR Government and law enforcement agencies.

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force (NSD) attaches great importance to the incident, and swiftly took enforcement actions in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on September 3 and arrested two local men and one local woman, aged between 33 and 79, for the offence of "doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention" under Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The three arrestees have been released on bail pending further investigations.

After follow-up investigations, the NSD took further enforcement actions in Kowloon and the New Territories on September 27 and 28, and arrested a local man and two local women, aged between 46 and 65, for the same offence. The three arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigations.

The NSD yesterday (September 30) further arrested a 37-year-old local man and a 58-year-old local woman for the same offence in Kowloon and the New Territories. Prior to the operation, Police obtained court search warrants to search the residences of the arrested persons and seize relevant exhibits. The two arrestees are being detained for further enquiries, while the Police arrest operation is still ongoing.

Police stressed that the so-called "831 incident" has been proven without factual basis. It is a lie manipulated by persons with ulterior motives to spread lies, attack the HKSAR Government and smear the Police Force, attempting to achieve their political objectives by endangering public peace. The acts concerned are suspected of breaching "doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention", which is a serious crime. Offenders shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years on first conviction.

Police will continue to ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, so as to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security.

Source: AI-found images