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

Six Years of Data Show FDA Clearing PMTA Backlog
Six Years of Data Show FDA Clearing PMTA Backlog
FDA data from FY2020 to FY2025 show how the PMTA system for e-cigarette products evolved after an early surge of submissions created prolonged front-end delays. Millions of applications accumulated at the Acceptance stage before entering substantive review. Since 2023, the number of applications pending acceptance has declined sharply, and industry participants report shorter initial decision timelines in late 2025.
Feb.06
Oklahoma prisons to sell vapes and nicotine pouches to inmates in bid to curb contraband and violence
Oklahoma prisons to sell vapes and nicotine pouches to inmates in bid to curb contraband and violence
Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) will launch a program allowing inmates to buy sealed disposable nicotine vapes and packs of nicotine pouches through prison commissaries. Tobacco has been banned in Oklahoma prisons for 10 years, and cigarettes and cigars will remain prohibited.
Feb.28
2Firsts Outlines 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry
2Firsts Outlines 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry
As regulation tightens and innovation matures, competition in the new tobacco industry is shifting. In its 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry report, 2Firsts examines how heated tobacco, nicotine pouches, and vape products are moving beyond feature-driven upgrades toward system-level design, where experience management, compliance structure, and engineering capability increasingly shape long-term competition.
Jan.13 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Federal Register notice: FDA seeks comments on “Warning Plans for Certain Tobacco Products”
Federal Register notice: FDA seeks comments on “Warning Plans for Certain Tobacco Products”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notice stating it has submitted a proposed information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Altria Reports Full-Year 2025 Results: Revenue Down 3.1%, Cigarette Volumes Slide 10% as NJOY Takes Impairment Hit
Altria Reports Full-Year 2025 Results: Revenue Down 3.1%, Cigarette Volumes Slide 10% as NJOY Takes Impairment Hit
Altria has released its full-year 2025 results, reporting full-year net revenues of $23.279 billion, down 3.1% year over year. Domestic cigarette shipment volume fell 10% for the year. on! nicotine pouches reached a 7.7% share of the U.S. oral tobacco category in the fourth quarter. NJOY posted $21 million in net revenues in Q4, while full-year net revenues were negative $13 million (mainly due to returns and related factors).
Jan.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indiana SB 185 Advances: Foreign-Made Vapes Would Be Barred, With Focus on China
Indiana SB 185 Advances: Foreign-Made Vapes Would Be Barred, With Focus on China
Indiana State Sen. Ron Alting is backing Senate Bill 185, which would ban vape shops in Indiana from selling any foreign-made vaping products and restrict retail shelves to U.S.-made items. Alting has framed the proposal as a consumer-safety measure and has singled out China, citing industry reporting that China produces more than 90% of the world’s vape hardware.
Jan.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai