DH continues to take multipronged measures to combat illegal import of alternative smoking products and illegal smoking
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Illegal import of alternative smoking products
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TACO was notified by Hong Kong Customs yesterday that 20 600 ASPs had been intercepted in the luggage of a woman arriving from Japan. TACO immediately arrested and prosecuted the individual. She was sentenced today at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts to three months' imprisonment.
Since the amendments to the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which conferred arrest powers on TACO inspectors, took effect on September 19, 2025, TACO has prosecuted 30 cases involving the importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Thirty-two persons have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four weeks to eight months.
According to the Import and Export Ordinance (Chapter 60), a person who imports alternative smoking products, including electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years; or liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Chapter 371) (the Ordinance), no person may promote, manufacture, sell, or possess for commercial purposes alternative smoking products. An offender is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
Illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas
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TACO conducted an operation codenamed "Cloudcrush" in Tsim Sha Tsui last night. During the inspection, TACO issued three FPNs to persons illegally smoking waterpipes in two bars, and issued two FPNs to a person for smoking and possessing a heated tobacco product inside the bar.
During the inspections conducted from January 2024 to date, the DH issued a total of around 300 FPNs for smoking waterpipe tobacco illegally in indoor no smoking areas, in addition to around 150 summonses to the staff of the bar for aiding and abetting smoking in indoor no smoking areas.
Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. Any person doing a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.
In addition, any person who possesses specified ASPs, including e-cigarette capsules, liquids, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes, in public places is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000.
"Members of the public must not try or continue consuming ASPs or waterpipes based on the misconception that these products contain less harmful substances. Currently, there is no evidence to show that heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes are less harmful or beneficial for smoking cessation. On the contrary, ASPs have been proven to emit numerous toxic substances that can lead to addiction, illness, or even death. Waterpipe is also a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning," the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam said.
He stressed that TACO will continue to closely monitor and rigorously enforce the law against illegal activities such as waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas, illegal sales and promotions of smoking products, as well as illegal imports of ASPs.
Dr Lam urged that smokers quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. Members of the public may call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, or visit TACO's website for information on smoking cessation.
Ends/Thursday, September 3, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:28
Issued at HKT 16:28
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