Hong Kong will ban alternative smoking products in public places starting from April 30th.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Department of Health announced that starting from April 30th, Hong Kong will ban anyone from possessing alternative smoking products in public places. Consumers will be considered in violation even if they just carry them with them without smoking. Once caught, they could face a minimum fine of 3000 Hong Kong dollars, up to a maximum fine of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars and imprisonment for 6 months. The Department of Health in Hong Kong also emphasized that there is no grace period for the new regulation and there is no exemption for first-time offenders.