That is right. You heard correctly. The smoking ban was an elaborate trap- to draw in more revenue from the ticketing of littered cigarette butts.  The logic is quite simple:

Smokers need to head outdoors to smoke -> Only put 1 ashtray per square mile -> Cigarette butts will be put out on the floor -> HK Police force gets HKD$1,500.

Take it at face value- that the smoking ban is helping to clean the air inside of bars, keeping everyone that drinks too much, or works in the evening entertainment industry a bit healthier.  Behind the scenes, the new increase in Health and Food Safety officers (wearing white police tops) are on the prowl like sneaky ninjas to catch you dropping that butt.

Just remember to look all around you before you litter- or just don’t do it.  That is easy too.