Government mulls ban on e-cigarette sales

It is aiming to reduce smoking prevalence from the current 10% to 7.8% by 2025.

The Hong Kong government is moving to propose legislative amendments to ban the import and sale of electronic cigarettes, according to a statement.

The administration is hoping to reduce smoking prevalence amongst people aged 15 and above to 7.8% by 2025 from the current 10%.

The emergence of new smoking products like e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products poses new health risks and challenges, said secretary for food and health Sophia Chan. 

“[These] new products are all harmful to health and produce second-hand smoke,” said Chan, adding there is a lack of evidence to prove they can help quit smoking.