Market & legal data in the tobacco alternatives sector in Hong-Kong

6th June 2024: Hong Kong: Deputy secretary for health Eddie Lee said the government plans to outlaw alternative smoking products completely, including heated tobacco and e-cigarettes, press reports. A ban on selling or importing these products is already in force, but the government plans to extend the ban to retail buyers. “A blanket ban on alternative smoking products has become a consensus in society,” said Lee. He added: “It is time to ban all forms of possession of alternative smoking products, including for personal use.” A ban on flavoured tobacco is also being considered. A bill is expected to be introduced to the legislature this year.
27th June 2023: Hong Kong: Trans-shipment of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products is now allowed, following the adoption of the Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2023. The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health expressed regret about the move, saying it would hinder effective enforcement of the ban on the production, import and sales of such products.
7th November 2022: Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health has proposed to ban those who were born in or after 2009 from buying cigarettes by 2027. Similar measures are being considered in Malaysia and New Zealand. Hong Kong already prohibited heated tobacco and vapour products earlier this year.
28th October 2022: Hong Kong: Hong Kong could reverse the ban on the re-export of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products by the end of this year, as reported by South China Morning Post.
5th May 2022: Hong Kong: Hong Kong police have arrested two people for violating the ban on selling alternative smoking products. Officers seized 94 boxes of suspected nicotine-containing e-cigarette cartridges and 74 “smoking devices” during the operation in Mong Kok, press reports. They were the first arrests under the ban, which came into effect on Saturday.
3rd May 2022: Hong Kong: Hong Kong Customs reports a major operation to combat illicit heated tobacco and e-cigarettes, with products with an estimated market value of $15m seized in the past month. The Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 came into effect on Saturday, 30th April, banning production, import, sales and promotion of heat-not-burn (HnB) and vaping products, subject to a fine of up to $50,000 and up to six months’ jail.

LATEST ALERTS

Alternative tobacco and nicotine products in Hong Kong

Hong Kong ‘could miss its goal of cutting smoking’ due to new tobacco restrictions

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Regulatory report: Hong Kong – HnB, oral tobacco and nicotine pouches, April 2021

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Global regulatory tracker: heated tobacco regulation, November

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LATEST ALERTS

Alternative tobacco and nicotine products in Hong Kong

Hong Kong ‘could miss its goal of cutting smoking’ due to new tobacco restrictions

Hong Kong cracks down on heated tobacco with import and sales ban

Hong Kong legislators raise doubts over government plans to ban heated tobacco

Regulatory report: Hong Kong – HnB, oral tobacco and nicotine pouches, April 2021

Regulatory database: global alerts round-up, December

TobaccoIntelligence compliance calendar

Global regulatory tracker: heated tobacco regulation, November

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