The Department of Health (DH) today (March 4) called on smokers not to use electronic cigarettes as the safety, efficacy and quality of this kind of product have to be established.
A DH spokesman said initial laboratory analysis on an electronic cigarette sample revealed that it contained nicotine.
The spokesman stressed that under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, electronic cigarettes containing nicotine and marketed as tobacco cessation products were classified as pharmaceutical products requiring registration in Hong Kong.
He said that investigations by the DH had indicated that several brands of electronic cigarettes were on sale on the Internet and in local shops.
The DH raided a shop in Sham Shui Po earlier today, resulting in the seizure of nine types of electronic cigarettes. The DH's investigations are in progress.
The DH has also instructed the parties concerned to remove electronic cigarette advertisements and promotional materials from their websites.
The spokesman said possession or sale of an unregistered pharmaceutical product, and possession of Part I poisons without authority, were both liable on conviction to a $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.
He urged members of the public who have been using electronic cigarettes to stop using them immediately.
They should destroy and dispose of the products or submit them to the DH's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours.
Smokers who want to quit smoking should seek advice from medical professionals. Information on smoking cessation can be obtained at the Tobacco Control Office website (http://www.tco.gov.hk).
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page :
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200903/04/P200903040265.htm