Hong Kong has fully banned the possession of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in public places starting April 30. The new regulation applies to tourists as well, with no exceptions.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), anyone caught possessing e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products in public places under Hong Kong's new regulation, which took effect that day, will face a fine of 3,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 570,000 won). If the quantity possessed is deemed large enough to suggest commercial purposes, the offender can face up to six months in prison and a fine of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 9.47 million won). An additional fine of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 1.92 million won) will be imposed for obstructing enforcement or refusing to provide identification. Conventional tobacco products are not subject to the new regulation.
Hong Kong has banned the import and sale of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products since April 2022, meaning they cannot be legally possessed in the territory.
Separately from this measure, Hong Kong plans to implement policies starting next March, including changes to conventional cigarette packaging and stronger taxation. As of 2023, Hong Kong's smoking rate among those aged 15 and older stood at 9.1%, a low level even among developed economies, but the city plans to reduce the rate further.
E-cigarettes are regulated not only in Hong Kong but in many Asian countries. Vietnam has implemented a hardline policy that bans the use of e-cigarettes altogether, imposing fines of up to 5 million dong (approximately 280,000 won) on violators, while Brunei has fully banned related products since 2005.
Singapore has made the possession, use and distribution of e-cigarettes illegal since 2018. In particular, Singapore imposes substantial fines even for first-time violations, and repeat offenders face additional fines and criminal penalties along with rehabilitation programs. Penalties are even more severe for products containing narcotic substances, and foreigners can even face entry restrictions.
Thailand has also fully banned the import, sale and use of e-cigarettes since 2014, and simple possession is illegal. Laos and Cambodia are implementing similar prohibition policies, and recently the scope of regulation has been expanding to cover advertising, storage and production.
India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cambodia also fully ban the import and distribution of e-cigarettes, and in some countries, bringing them into the country is itself illegal.
