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Hong KongHealth & Environment

End of vaping in Hong Kong? Government plans to ban import and sale of e-cigarettes

Health Undersecretary Sophia Chan tells lawmaker that officials plan to introduce legislation on the issue in next Legislative Council session

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The government plans to impose a ban on the import and sale of e-cigarettes. Photo: Edward Wong
Elizabeth Cheung
A bill banning the import and sale of electronic cigarettes will be submitted to the Legislative Council in the next legislative session, a lawmaker revealed after meeting a top health official.
Kwok Wai-keung of the Federation of Trade Unions said the plan was confirmed during a meeting with the Undersecretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, on Thursday.
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That came after Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying announced in his January policy address that the government would consider regulating e-cigarettes through legislation.

Before a ban comes into effect, officials said they would continue to educate the public on the harm of e-cigarettes, conduct tests and studies, monitor international regulatory developments and study legislative frameworks for a ban.

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E-cigarettes like these at a mall in Mong Kok can easily be purchased in the city. Photo: Emily Tsang
E-cigarettes like these at a mall in Mong Kok can easily be purchased in the city. Photo: Emily Tsang

Kwok said the government should announce a list of e-cigarette products which had been inspected and found to contain harmful substances.

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