The secretary for health revealed on Friday that he expects the first phase of a ban on the possession of e-cigarettes to come into force next April at the earliest.

Lo Chung-mau made the comments as the administration unveils its latest smoking-ban proposals.

In an interview with Hong Kong Economic Journal, he emphasised that e-cigarettes are harmful as they are produced from heated chemicals for inhalation.

Lo believes banning the use or possession of e-cigarettes will not cause inconvenience to travellers as existing legislation bars such products from being brought into the SAR or sold.

He also criticised tobacco companies for clouding the dangers for youngsters by adding flavours to e-cigarettes to make it a "sugar-coated poison".

This is because people will "instinctively refuse" to continue smoking if they smell the pungent flavour when they try to smoke for the first time.

By also adding nicotine to their products, Lo said, tobacco companies are also increasing the chances of addiction and depriving the public of their right to choose.