Blanket ban follows tragic Tai Po fire that took 168 lives
Labour authorities in Hong Kong are proposing a blanket ban on smoking in construction sites following the fatal fire in Tai Po District in November.
Hong Kong's Labour Department (LD) has submitted to the Legislative Council a proposal seeking changes to the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (CSSR).
"LD proposes legislative amendments that would replace the current prohibition of smoking at specific construction sites due to fire risk with a comprehensive ban on smoking at all construction sites," the proposal read.
A person who has committed a smoking offence will receive a fixed penalty notice with a fine of $3,000, according to the proposal.
It also wants to hold contractors more accountable in cases of smoking violations.
LD said the amendments will impose "clear legal obligations" on the contractor responsible for a construction site, and a contractor who has direct control over any construction work on the site.
"A contractor who violated the amended CSSR is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $400,000 as stipulated in current provision," the proposal reads.
LD said it is working closely with the construction industry and relevant stakeholders to jointly enforce and manage the implementation of the comprehensive smoking ban.
It will also cooperate with the Department of Health and the Primary Healthcare Commission to promote a smoke-free culture among construction workers and to assist those who need to quit smoking.
Tai Po fatal fire
The department said it is "working at full speed" to amend the CSSR and tentatively introduce the amendments for deliberation by mid-2026.
It cited the tragic fire in Tai Po in November for the legislative amendments.
"Since the tragic fire which occurred in Tai Po in November 2025, there has been strong community consensus for implementing a comprehensive smoking ban in construction sites," the LD said.
The large fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex, killing 168 people, including one firefighter, and injuring 79 others.
According to reports, the fire lasted for more than 40 hours, and razed seven of the eight blocks of the complex.
An independent committee tasked with investigating the incident heard that the fire was likely because of smoking.
"An inter-departmental investigation team has concluded that it was most likely that someone lit a cigarette, which set flammable items stacked at the lightwell ablaze," said Senior Counsel Victor Dawes, the lead lawyer for the committee, as quoted by the Hong Kong Free Press.
