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

Published: 10:00am, 3 Jun 2016Updated: 11:22am, 3 Jun 2016

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.

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.

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.

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

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Health Undersecretary Sophia Chan tells lawmaker that officials plan to introduce legislation on the issue in next Legislative Council session

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