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

BAT Subsidiary Warns of Surge in Illegal Nicotine Pouches in Canada, Calls for Unified Regulatory Framework
BAT Subsidiary Warns of Surge in Illegal Nicotine Pouches in Canada, Calls for Unified Regulatory Framework
Imperial Tobacco Canada, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, has urged the federal government to respond to the spread of illegal nicotine pouches by allowing approved products to be sold through a wider range of adult retail channels. The company is also calling for stronger retail inspections, enhanced digital tracking, and closer coordination among provinces to build a consistent regulatory framework and restore the accessibility of the legal market.
Dec.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Wisconsin Lawmakers Revive Bill to Raise Legal Age for Tobacco and Vaping Purchases to 21
Wisconsin Lawmakers Revive Bill to Raise Legal Age for Tobacco and Vaping Purchases to 21
Wisconsin Senate Bill 524 (SB 524) has been reintroduced to raise the legal purchasing age for tobacco and electronic nicotine products from 18 to 21, aiming to eliminate the gap between state law and the federal “Tobacco 21” standard. Some retailers in Madison have already voluntarily adopted the 21-year age limit, while the American Lung Association is urging swift legislative action.
Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
69% of Russians Support Full Ban on E-Cigarette Sales, SuperJob Survey Shows
69% of Russians Support Full Ban on E-Cigarette Sales, SuperJob Survey Shows
According to Gazeta.Ru, a SuperJob poll found that 69% of Russians support President Vladimir Putin’s decision to fully ban vape sales in Russia. Only 7% oppose the ban, while 15% said they are indifferent and 9% were undecided.
Nov.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | VOZOL Launches Two SLEEK-Series Devices Compatible with Mesh and Ceramic Coils
Product | VOZOL Launches Two SLEEK-Series Devices Compatible with Mesh and Ceramic Coils
VOZOL expands its SLEEK line with the SLEEK VISION e-cigarette, which uses the same series pods and supports both mesh and ceramic coils. SLEEK VISION features a boxier design with a 0.99-inch display for battery level and mode, and upgrades the battery to 900 mAh (vs. 600 mAh on SLEEK).
Nov.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
COP11 Concludes with Major Decisions on Global Tobacco Control
COP11 Concludes with Major Decisions on Global Tobacco Control
The Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) concluded in Geneva on November 22, with 160 Parties adopting major decisions on tobacco and nicotine regulation, environmental protection, sustainable financing, and tobacco industry liability. A landmark decision mandates a complete ban on the use and sale of tobacco and all novel nicotine products across all UN premises worldwide.
Nov.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Airis, Kangvape and HAYATI Launch Christmas-Themed E-cigarettes in UK and US Online Markets
Product | Airis, Kangvape and HAYATI Launch Christmas-Themed E-cigarettes in UK and US Online Markets
As the Christmas holiday season approaches in Europe and North America, e-cigarette brands such as Airis, Kangvape and HAYATI have successively launched Christmas special editions featuring festive-themed designs and selected limited-time flavors, which are now available through online channels in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Dec.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai