Hong Kong Health Authority Warns E-Cigarettes Becoming New Tool for Drug Abuse

Nov.28.2024
Hong Kong Health Authority Warns E-Cigarettes Becoming New Tool for Drug Abuse
The Hong Kong Department of Health has issued a warning that e-cigarettes are becoming a new tool for drug abuse. The cartridges containing illegal drugs resemble regular e-liquid, highlighting the need for legislative restrictions.

According to a report by SCMP on November 27th, the Hong Kong Health Department has warned that e-cigarettes are increasingly being used as a tool for drug abuse, as these devices can easily be filled with drugs and are difficult to detect.

 

The Hong Kong Department of Health's subordinate agency, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, said on Wednesday (27th) that they have recently dealt with cases where the "space oil" in e-cigarette pods appeared to be identical to the e-liquid contained in other products.

 

The head of the office, Dr. Fung Ying, pointed out that: "Those cartridges containing illegal drugs look no different from those with ordinary e-liquid."

 

Space oil" is one of the highly demanded drugs in the city, often found in e-cigarette pods. It contains etomidate, a prescription anesthetic categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance.

 

The Hong Kong government announced a series of proposed measures on June 10, including amending laws to ban the possession of alternative tobacco products. The Department of Health stated that they are currently drafting the details of the legislative proposal and have contacted lawmakers to seek their input. It is expected that these legislative amendments will be submitted to the Legislative Council by the end of 2024 or early 2025.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Pennsylvania to Publish Vape Manufacturer Directory by June 20
Pennsylvania to Publish Vape Manufacturer Directory by June 20
Now that Act 57 of 2025 is in effect, every manufacturer of nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes sold or offered for retail sale in Pennsylvania must be certified by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.
Apr.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russian Lawmaker Says Vape Circulation Licensing Will Be Regulated by Law in the Coming Months
Russian Lawmaker Says Vape Circulation Licensing Will Be Regulated by Law in the Coming Months
Alexander Tolmachev, deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on Youth Policy, said the issue of licensing vape circulation will be resolved at the legislative level in the coming months. He said a significant share of such products currently on the market are counterfeit, that their real nicotine concentration may be several times higher than stated, and that the composition of the liquid is unknown.
Mar.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China’s tobacco regulator names Yao Laiying as top leader
China’s tobacco regulator names Yao Laiying as top leader
China’s tobacco regulator has undergone a top leadership change, according to an official announcement on March 20.
Mar.20
Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs
Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs
According to a complaint filed on March 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fontem US, LLC and Texas retailer OM Investment, LLC sued the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services over FDA’s refusal-to-file decision for certain Zone nicotine pouch PMTAs.
Mar.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
KT&G Aims to Accelerate Launch of New Heated Tobacco Innovation Platform
KT&G Aims to Accelerate Launch of New Heated Tobacco Innovation Platform
KT&G Chief Executive Officer Bang Kyung-man said at the annual shareholders meeting on March 26 that although the company expects a challenging environment marked by stronger protectionism and a high exchange rate, it will continue on a stable growth path through strategic choice and focus.
Mar.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris Korea Launches New IQOS ILUMA i “Electric Purple” Color Edition
Philip Morris Korea Launches New IQOS ILUMA i “Electric Purple” Color Edition
Philip Morris Korea said it has launched a new color edition of its heated tobacco device brand IQOS, called “IQOS ILUMA i Electric Purple.” The new color has been added to the IQOS ILUMA i series and applies to the Prime, standard, and One variants. The product is being sold through the IQOS website and nine IQOS directly operated stores across South Korea.
Mar.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai