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Tag: fines

  • Hong Kong Expands No-Smoking Areas, Doubles Fines

    Hong Kong Expands No-Smoking Areas, Doubles Fines

    Hong Kong will double fines for smoking offences to HK$3,000 ($385) and expand no-smoking areas from January 1, 2026, under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, the Department of Health said. The new rules ban smoking within three meters of entrances and exits to childcare centers, schools, hospitals, residential care homes, and specified clinics, and prohibit smoking while queuing, including at public transport boarding areas and outside designated premises.

    Authorities said enforcement and public education efforts have been stepped up at border checkpoints, tourist sites, and transport hubs. The measures are part of a phased rollout of tougher tobacco controls, following earlier steps such as higher penalties for illicit cigarettes and a ban on sales to under-18s, with a further ban on using alternative smoking products like e-cigarettes in public places set to take effect on April 30, 2026.

  • NSW Introduces Harshest-Ever Crackdown on Illicits

    NSW Introduces Harshest-Ever Crackdown on Illicits

    The New South Wales government today (August 6) introduced sweeping new legislation to Parliament aimed at tackling the illegal tobacco and vaping trade, including some of the toughest penalties in Australia. Under the proposed laws, selling tobacco without a license could result in fines of up to A$660,000 ($429,000) for individuals and A$880,000 ($572,000) for corporations.

    Other key measures include:

    • New offenses for commercial possession or sale of illicit tobacco, carrying maximum penalties of over A$1.5 million ($975,000) and seven years’ imprisonment.
    • Closure orders for up to 90 days (short-term) or 12 months (long-term) for premises violating the laws.
    • Offenses for breaching closure orders, including entering or operating from sealed premises.
    • Lease termination powers for landlords and proposed penalties for those knowingly leasing to illegal sellers.
    • New laws against impersonating licensed sellers, resisting product seizure, or attempting to reclaim confiscated goods.

    The crackdown follows the recent rollout of a tobacco licensing scheme, designed to improve regulatory oversight and reduce black market activity.

  • Singapore’s Vape Crackdown Seized $31M in Products

    Singapore’s Vape Crackdown Seized $31M in Products

    Between January 2024 and March 2025, nearly 18,000 people were cited for possession and use of vapes in Singapore after authorities stepped up enforcement efforts, local officials said. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Ministry of Health said that e-vaporizers and related components worth more than S$41 million ($31.6 million) were seized over that span.

    Those guilty of having vape products can be fined up to S$2,000 ($1,540), while those who import or distribute can be fined up to S$10,000 ($7,700) and/or jailed for up to six months for a first offense.

    Those facing more serious charges include two people linked to an e-vaporizer syndicate case that involved more than S$5 million ($3.9 million) worth of the devices.

  • New South Wales Sets High Fines for Youth Sales

    New South Wales Sets High Fines for Youth Sales

    Australian bills and coins
    Photo: Atstock Productions | Adobe Stock

    More than $1 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes and liquids containing nicotine have been seized in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, this year.

    NSW Health has seized more than $3 million of the banned products since July 2020.

    Since October 2021, products containing nicotine are only available for people over the age of 18 when prescribed by a medical practitioner for smoking cessation purposes, from an Australian pharmacy or via importation into Australia with a valid prescription, according to 7News.

    For all other retailers in NSW, the sale of e-cigarettes or e-liquids containing nicotine is illegal.

    The curb on illegal nicotine sales extends to online shops with the maximum penalty of $1,650 per offense, six months in prison or both.

    Selling to minors also comes with hefty fines. For individuals, up to $11,000 for a first offense and up to $55,000 for a second or subsequent offense; and for corporations, up to $55,000 for a first offense and up to $110,000 for a second or subsequent offense.

    Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said retailers were being put on notice if they were selling the contraband products. “We are cracking down on the illegal sale of nicotine e-cigarettes and liquids and taking a zero-tolerance approach to those who sell them,” she said.

    “NSW Health regularly conducts raids on retailers across the state to protect young people from these harmful devices. You will be caught, illegal items will be seized, and you could face prosecution, resulting in being fined or even jailed.

    “The harmful impacts of vaping on young people cannot be underestimated. People think they are simply flavored water, but in reality, in many cases, they are ingesting poisonous chemicals that can cause life-threatening injuries.”

    The Alcohol and Drug Foundation says around 14 percent of 12-year-olds to 17-year-olds nationwide have tried an e-cigarette, with around 32 percent of these students having used one in the past month. Around 12 percent of students reported buying an e-cigarette themselves.