New public healthcare service fees, along with increased penalties for traffic violations and smoking offences, will take effect in Hong Kong on Thursday.

A major reform of public healthcare service charges will be implemented at midnight on the first day of the New Year.

Health officials said the standard charge for accident and emergency wards will rise from HK$180 to HK$400, but this fee will be waived for patients classified as critical or emergency cases.

Authorities are also introducing a "co-payment model" for certain specialised services.

Patients will pay between HK$50 and HK$500 for advanced, highly complicated pathology tests and non-urgent imaging scans.

Basic check-ups with high demand will remain free of charge.

Fees for medicine dispensed at specialist and family medicine outpatient clinics will be adjusted, with prescriptions limited to a maximum of four weeks' supply per visit.

To mitigate the financial impact on residents, officials have established a second safety net alongside existing waivers.

Eligible patients will have an annual cap of HK$10,000 on specified public medical fees, with no financial assessment required.

Separately, transport officials announced increases to penalties for traffic violations, with the standard parking fine rising from HK$320 to HK$400.

Fines for 19 specific offences, including speeding, crossing double white lines and using a handheld phone while driving, will increase from a range of between HK$320 and HK$1,000 to HK$480 and HK$1,500.

"Compared with other jurisdictions, Hong Kong's current penalty levels are significantly lower, and their deterrent effect has gradually diminished due to inflation," a Transport and Logistics Bureau spokesperson said.

"To address the persistent – and in some cases rising – trend of traffic contraventions, measured adjustments to the relevant penalty charges will help enhance road safety and traffic flows."

Enforcement of non-smoking rules will also be strengthened, with the Department of Health reminding the public that the fixed penalty for smoking offences will double from HK$1,500 to HK$3,000.

This higher fine will now also apply to smoking while queuing for public transport or at the entrances or exits of public places.

Furthermore, non-smoking areas will be extended to within three metres of the doorways of hospitals, government clinics, schools, residential care homes and childcare centres.