Five fast facts about Hong Kong’s burning debate over e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn devices and other alternative tobacco products

Big Tobacco and medical groups are smoking mad over the government’s bid to treat newer forms of smoking as conventional cigarettes. Here’s a breakdown of the issue

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The Hong Kong government has proposed to regulate e-cigarettes similar to conventional cigarettes and tobacco products. Photo: AP

Published: 8:32am, 21 Jun 2018Updated: 8:32am, 21 Jun 2018

Electronic cigarettes and other tobacco alternatives, including so-called heat-not-burn products and herbal cigarettes, has sparked debate in Hong Kong again after the government recently proposed legislation to regulate those products in a way similar to conventional cigarettes.

Vaping accessories for sale in Hong Kong. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

What are e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn products and herbal cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a solution, called e-liquid, in a cartridge to deliver an aerosol that users inhale in a way similar to conventional cigarettes. The use of an e-cigarette is also known as vaping. The e-liquid is a mixture including propylene glycol – a chemical added to food, cosmetics and some medicines to retain moisture – flavourings and other additives.

E-cigarettes are also hazardous to health

For heat-not-burn products, tobacco is heated up, rather than combusted, by an electronic device. Users could then inhale the aerosol, which contains nicotine and other chemicals. Herbal cigarettes, as their name suggests, are made with plants, herbs or fruits instead of tobacco, but look like conventional cigarettes. They are consumed via combustion.