Hong Kong smoking control measures to be implemented from today, with fines for smoking offenses to be doubled starting next year.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government today published the "2025 Tobacco Control Ordinance" in the Official Gazette to implement new tobacco control measures formulated by the Department of Health. The following measures will take effect immediately: prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18; increasing penalties for untaxed tobacco; requiring cigarettes priced below the tobacco tax to prove that tax has been paid. In addition, starting from January 1, 2026, Hong Kong will introduce the following tobacco control measures: smoking will be prohibited while queuing; expanding designated no-smoking areas to a 3-meter radius around entrances and exits; increasing the fixed penalty for smoking offenses from 1500 Hong Kong dollars to 3000 Hong Kong dollars.