The government has proposed large fines up to HKD 50,000 (EUR 5,630) and six months imprisonment for those who import or sell electronic cigarettes and other alternative smoking products, Hong Kong Free Press reported.

The draft law will ban the import, manufacture, sale, distribution and promoting of alternative smoking products, including e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn products and herbal cigarettes, according to the report. Personal use is still allowed.
“We hope that, through the ban on import, sale and manufacture, these products will not be so easily available on the market. It will be an effective means to prevent most people from exposure to these products.” Deputy Secretary for Food and Health, Amy Yuen, was quoted as saying. “It may not be feasible if we ban the use of these products. We also don’t want to disturb people too much. Regardless, we know these new products […] are harmful to people. We have to stop them from being available everywhere,” she added.
The government hopes the law will be effective six months after it is passed by the legislature, the report said.