The possession and use of e-cigarette cartridges in public places are expected to be banned starting from mid-2026, Hong Kong’s health minister has said, with the government aiming to submit the relevant bill to the legislature in two months.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau also said on Sunday that the bill would cover a sales ban on flavored tobacco. However, authorities had preliminarily suggested allowing visitors, including residents, to bring up to 20 packs of duty-paid flavored tobacco cigarettes for individual use.

Health authorities aim to outlaw the personal possession of alternative tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, in addition to the ban on the import, promotion, manufacturing, sale or possession for commercial purposes imposed in 2022.