Another individual sentenced to imprisonment for illegally importing alternative smoking products

Following yesterday's (September 3) sentencing of a woman for illegally importing alternative smoking products, another man was sentenced today (September 4) to six months' imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts for the same offence. The Department of Health (DH) welcomed the verdict and reminded members of the public and visitors not to bring alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products or herbal cigarettes into Hong Kong, and not to use any alternative smoking products. The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH was notified by Hong Kong Customs on July 10 that 36 200 alternative smoking products had been intercepted in the luggage of the aforesaid man arriving from Japan. TACO immediately arrested and prosecuted the individual. Since the amendments to the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which conferred arrest powers on TACO inspectors, took effect on September 19, 2025, TACO has prosecuted 31 cases involving the importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Thirty-three persons have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four weeks to eight months. According to