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

Nov.28.2024

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.

References:

[1] Hong Kong authorities warn that e-cigarettes could be tools for drug abuse

Also Read:

[1] RTHK.News Reports Crackdown on Shisha Smoking in Hong Kong

[2] Impact of Proposed Ban on Flavored Tobacco in Hong Kong

[3] Controversy over E-cigarette Ban: Impact on Hong Kong Tourism

[4] Hong Kong to Announces Tobacco Control Rules Focusing on Smoking in Queues

[5] Hong Kong Customs Launches Anti-Smuggling Operation "Storm" on February 19th

#Legislation #E-cigarettes #Asia #Hong Kong

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

PMI Urges South Africa to Differentiate Smoke-Free Products from Cigarettes

South Africa is drafting new tobacco legislation aimed at reducing smoking-related deaths and promoting harm reduction.PMI said smoke-free products such as nicotine pouches and heated devices could play a critical role in reducing harm. Patrik Hildingsson, PMI’s director for oral products communications, said South Africa is developing a new regulatory framework to recognise and regulate smoke-free products, calling it a “big change” for the industry.

Oct.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai

China’s E-Cigarette Exports Rise to USD 1.098 Billion in October 2025, Up 23.7% Year-on-Year as U.S. Demand Surges

China’s e-cigarette exports reached USD 1.098 billion in October 2025, rising 24.8% month-on-month and 23.7% year-on-year, according to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs of China. Export concentration increased to 83.11%, with the U.S. market contributing the largest share of monthly growth.

Nov.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai

JTI UK Expands Nordic Spirit Line, Launches 17mg Nicotine Pouch

JTI UK has launched Nordic Spirit’s highest-strength variant—Frosty Mint Max, delivering 17mg of nicotine per pouch—and introduced a refreshed, darker packaging design for the brand.

Oct.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Smoking Rate Drops to 17.9%, Vaping Rate Climbs to 9.3% in South Korea

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released its 2025 Community Health Survey results covering more than 230,000 adults. Traditional cigarette smoking dropped to 17.9%, down 1 percentage point from last year, while e-cigarette use increased to 9.3%, up 0.6 points. Overall tobacco product use stood at 22.1%, a slight decline from 2024 but still 0.5 points higher than 2019.