Hong Kong to Ban E-Cigarettes in Public by Mid-2026
Hong Kong is set to enforce a ban on the possession and use of e-cigarettes in public spaces as early as mid-2026. This move comes as part of the government’s broader strategy to protect youth and further reduce smoking rates across the city.
Since April 2022, Hong Kong has prohibited the import, manufacture, and sale of e-cigarettes. Despite these measures, vaping remains prevalent, prompting authorities to take stricter action. Secretary for Health Prof. Lo Chung-mau announced the new policy during a television interview, emphasizing the need to safeguard young people from nicotine addiction.
“We believe it’s time to tighten regulations on e-cigarettes,” Lo stated. “The first step is to ban their possession and use in public areas. Once the public adapts to this change, we will expand the restrictions to other locations.”
The Hong Kong government plans to submit the proposed legislation to the Legislative Council for review by April 2025. If passed, the ban will take effect shortly thereafter.
In addition to targeting e-cigarettes, the government is also proposing a ban on flavored tobacco products, such as menthol and fruit-flavored cigarettes. These measures align with Hong Kong’s goal to reduce its smoking rate from 9.1% in 2022 to 7.8% by the end of 2025.