Hong Kong bars urge regulation rather than ban on flavoured shisha products
Industry representatives say customers only enjoy shisha because of flavours and already struggling bars will suffer if blanket ban goes ahead
Hong Kong bar operators have urged authorities to regulate rather than ban flavoured shisha products, saying customers are unlikely to consume the traditional version that will still be allowed under government proposals.
Industry representatives issued the call on Monday after the government gazetted an amended bill last week proposing tighter controls on smoking. The bill will be submitted to the Legislative Council for a first reading on Wednesday.
“A blanket ban is not a solution,” said Ben Leung Lap-yan, charter president of the Licensed Bar and Club Association of Hong Kong.
“We hope that the government can introduce some requirements on the provision of items such as shisha and that they can be offered in certain licensed venues … Service providers could also be subject to regulation of the authorities.”
Under the amended bill, the sale of conventional smoking products with flavours other than menthol, including flavoured shisha, is expected to be banned from the second quarter of 2027. Offenders will be subject to a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a HK$50,000 (US$6,445) fine.
Other proposals include a ban on possessing or vaping alternative smoking products in public. Smokers would also be barred from lighting up while queuing to enter certain places.