According to news on December 29, in order to combat the unhealthy behavior of smoking, Hong Kong, China, has issued new regulations, and the penalties are significantly greater than before. According to the Hong Kong SAR Government News Network,Three of the amendments to smoking offenses in the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will come into effect on Thursday (January 1, 2026), including expanding statutory no-smoking areas, banning smoking while queuing, and increasing the fixed penalty amount to $3,000.
The Hong Kong Department of Health reminds the public that this legislative amendment will expand the statutory no-smoking zone to public places within three meters of the dedicated entrances and exits of child care centres, institutions, schools, hospitals, designated clinics and health centres; and prohibit smoking while waiting for public transport at designated boarding places, staying within the designated areas of designated boarding places, and waiting to enter or wait in designated premises; and the fixed penalty for smoking offenses will be increased from 1,500 to 3,000.
In order to protect young people, businesses are also prohibited from providing smoking products to people under the age of 18, whether they are traditional cigarettes or alternative cigarettes. Violators will be fined up to HK$50,000 or even imprisoned for 6 months!
In addition, other tobacco control measures will be gradually implemented from the second quarter of next year until 2027. Therefore, when you travel to Hong Kong in the future, you must pay attention to these smoking control policies, otherwise your wallet will be unbearable.
