Department of Health Responds to Comments about Alternative Smoking Products

DH responds to comments about alternative smoking products

In response to claims that prohibiting the possession of specified alternative smoking products (ASPs) in public places would deter tourists from visiting Hong Kong, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (April 30) issued the following statement:

Hong Kong has prohibited the import, sale and possession of ASPs for commercial purposes, including e-cigarettes and heat sticks since April 30, 2022. For the past four years, all inbound travellers, including tourists, have been legallybarred from bringing e-cigarettes and heat sticks into the city, and such products have not been available for purchase locally. The ban taking effect today simply extends regulation to cover possession in public places. In practice, no additional restrictions are being imposed on tourists.

Regarding suggestions that the new measure will discourage tourists from visiting Hong Kong, the spokesman stressed that such claims completely overlook the fact that the importation (including carrying into Hong Kong) and sale of e-cigarettes and heat sticks have already been banned for four years. Extending prohibition to possession will not affect tourists’ willingness to visit Hong Kong. Instead, it is the rumour-mongers who are spreading false information, misleading the public and visitors, causing unnecessary alarm and damaging Hong Kong’s reputation. The spokesman urged all sectors to work with the government to convey accurate information to tourists and prevent misleading messages from damaging Hong Kong’s image as a healthy travel destination.

The World Health Organization has clearly identified the health risks posed by e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Hong Kong is not alone in prohibiting ASPs. Currently, more than 30 jurisdictions worldwide ban e-cigarettes, and over 10 ban heated tobacco products. Thailand and Singapore implemented comprehensive bans as early as 2014 and 2018 respectively, without adverse impact on their visitor numbers. In fact, the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong have continued to rise from 2023 to 2025, demonstrating that public health protection and tourism development can coexist.

Members of the public and tourists may visit the website of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) for detailed information and frequently asked questions. TACO has also adopted a multipronged publicity approach to disseminate relevant information to tourists, including:

• producing promotional leaflets (see Annex) for tourists to help tourists to understand the new tobacco control measures. Relevant promotional materials are displayed and distributed at all border control points and visitor centres of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, ensuring that tourists are informed immediately upon arrival;

• coordinating with the Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission, the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Shenzhen Customs District and Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection to strengthen the promotion of Hong Kong’s latest tobacco control measures at Shenzhen ports, including displaying information on large electronic screens on the mainland side of the ports;

• coordinating with airlines to make in-flight announcements about the new measures; and

• conducting promotional activities on social media, at boundary control points and at major tourist attractions to remind the public and visitors to comply with the law.

Hong Kong welcome visitors from all over the world to experience the city’s healthy and vibrant appeal.

The provision under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 prohibiting the possession of specified alternative smoking products, such as e-cigarette capsules and heat sticks, in public places takes effect today (April 30). Photo shows an officer from the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office distributing leaflets in Admiralty to remind members of the public and visitors of the ban today. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The provision under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 prohibiting the possession of specified alternative smoking products, such as e-cigarette capsules and heat sticks, in public places takes effect today (April 30). Photo shows an officer from the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office distributing leaflets in Admiralty to remind members of the public and visitors of the ban today. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The provision under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 prohibiting the possession of specified alternative smoking products, such as e-cigarette capsules and heat sticks, in public places takes effect today (April 30). Photo shows an officer from the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) distributing leaflets in Admiralty to remind members of the public and visitors of the ban today. Looking on is the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam (centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The provision under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 prohibiting the possession of specified alternative smoking products, such as e-cigarette capsules and heat sticks, in public places takes effect today (April 30). Photo shows the Head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, Dr Manny Lam, distributing leaflets in Admiralty to remind members of the public and visitors of the ban. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The provision under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 prohibiting the possession of specified alternative smoking products, such as e-cigarette capsules and heat sticks, in public places takes effect today (April 30). Photo shows the Head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, Dr Manny Lam, distributing leaflets in Admiralty to remind members of the public and visitors of the ban. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The provision under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 prohibiting the possession of specified alternative smoking products, such as e-cigarette capsules and heat sticks, in public places takes effect today (April 30). Photo shows the Head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, Dr Manny Lam, distributing leaflets in Admiralty to remind members of the public and visitors of the ban. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs teams up with Mainland and Macao Customs to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities

Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation with the Mainland and Macao Customs from April 13 to April 24, during which inspections of goods across the three places and destined for countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia were stepped up, with a view to combating cross-boundary and transshipment counterfeiting activities. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs detected 23 cases and seized about 46 000 suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, mobile phones, bags, clothing, footwear and electronic products, with a total estimated market value of about $16 million.

Through intelligence analysis and detailed investigations, Hong Kong Customs in the operation detected 21 related cases at a number of local express couriers and logistics companies.

Meanwhile, Customs officers detected two cases at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, seizing a batch of suspected counterfeit goods from two incoming lorries. Two male lorry drivers, aged 48 and 52, were arrested. An investigation is ongoing. The two arrestees have been released on bail pending further investigation.

Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with the Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to vigorously combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipping activities through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation with the Mainland and Macao Customs from April 13 to April 24, during which inspections of goods across the three places and destined for countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia were stepped up, with a view to combating cross-boundary and transshipment counterfeiting activities. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs detected 23 cases and seized about 46 000 suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, mobile phones, bags, clothing, footwear and electronic products etc, with a total estimated market value of about $16 million. Photo shows the suspected counterfeit goods seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases