<P> An anomaly exists on cross-border trains between Hong Kong and mainland China as they are operated jointly between MTR Corporation and China Railways, of whom the latter allows smoking in the restaurant car and in the vestibules at the end of the cars, but not in the seating area . </P> <P> Any person who smokes or carries a lighted tobacco product in a statutory no smoking area commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of HK $5,000 . Unlike many other jurisdictions, Hong Kong does not place the onus on licensees of liquor licensed premises to enforce smoke - free regulations bans with subsequent loss of licence for non compliance . A 2009 law provides for fixed - penalty arrangement (HK $1,500) for smoking, on a par with that for littering . At the same time smoking was to be prohibited in designated public transport interchanges, but the government has yet to clarify how it will enforce this against non Hong Kong ID card - holders and tourists, since the offender has 21 days after the ticket issue to pay up . </P> <P> The overall daily smoking rate in Hong Kong is 11.8% (HK Department of Census and Statistics Household Thematic Survey 36) with 25% of males smoking whereas in China 63% of males smoke . </P> <P> Smoking has been restricted for several years on public transport, in hospitals and airports and in public and national buildings, including the Parliament . From 2010, smoke - free has been in effect in playgrounds and underpasses . Several cities, including Budapest, have prohibited smoking in public transport stops . Following a decade of resistance by the tobacco lobby, a comprehensive nationwide smoke - free law covering all inside public spaces (including workplaces, clubs, pubs, restaurants) is in effect from January 2012 . Since July 2013 the sale of tobacco is limited to state - controlled (but privately owned) tobacco shops called Nemzeti Dohánybolt (National Tobacco Shop), number of stores where people can buy tobacco reduced from 40,000--42,000 to 5,300 . In March 2017, Hungary was one of only seven EU countries that have a complete ban on smoking in all public places . </P>

When did it become illegal to smoke in a hospital