Stealth vaping continues despite new Hong Kong ban, 4 penalised
Man found vaping in alley near Duke of Windsor Social Services Building calls ban ‘ridiculous’, says it could deter tourists and affect economy
Some Hong Kong residents are still vaping in hidden corners despite a new ban on the public use of alternative tobacco products, the South China Morning Post has observed, with at least four already penalised by authorities.
“We will issue penalty tickets without warning, and step up publicity in high-traffic areas such as business districts,” Dr Manny Lam Man-chung, head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, said, stressing that the new measure would not undermine tourism.
Alternative smoking products include e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which are designed to mimic conventional smoking.
From Thursday, anyone found carrying more than five vape pods or 100 heat sticks in public faces a maximum fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,400) and up to six months in jail, while those with smaller quantities will receive a fixed penalty of HK$3,000.
The office said it had carried out 137 inspections as of 5pm that day. Officers had issued 12 fixed penalty notices for smoking offences, and another four such notices under the new legislation against alternative tobacco products, it added.
One public smoker was caught outside the Admiralty Centre, an office and shopping complex, the SCMP observed.