DH continues interdepartmental operation against distribution of smoking product advertisements in public housing estates
To step up enforcement actions to combat the distribution of smoking product leaflets in public housing estates, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 4) continued to carry out a joint operation with the Police and the Housing Department (HD) to conduct inspections and carry out publicity at four public housing estates in Kwun Tong District. In addition to patrolling at the estates, officers from TACO provided estate security personnel and residents with information on what to do when a suspected violation is found. One member of the Kwun Tong District Council also joined today's operation and reminded the residents not to defy the law.
Since January this year, TACO has carried out more than 220 joint operations with the Police, the HD, and the Customs and Excise Department in various public housing estates throughout the territories to combat the sale of illicit cigarettes and related promotional activities at public housing estates. Additionally, TACO, the Police and the HD have established a co-operation mechanism targeting the distribution of smoking product leaflets at public housing estates. When any smoking product leaflet distribution is detected at public housing estates, the housing estate staff will contact the Police for assistance and subsequently refer the case to TACO for further investigation.
A spokesman for the DH stressed that TACO has been closely monitoring the market situation and taking stringent enforcement actions against violations of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) (the Ordinance), and will appropriately adjust its enforcement strategies according to the actual circumstances from time to time. Apart from following up and investigating each complaint, proactive plainclothes enforcement and interdepartmental joint operations have also been strengthened since 2023. From January 2023 to August 2024, TACO removed over 2 550 webpages, social media accounts or posts with smoking-product advertisements, and issued 124 summonses and 43 warning letters regarding offences of displaying or distributing smoking-product advertisements during the same period.
In accordance with the Ordinance, no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotion leaflets). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. TACO will continue to carry out relevant interdepartmental operations, and follow up and investigate every complaint regarding the distribution of smoking product advertisements, as well as refer any suspected cases of illicit cigarettes that involve violations of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) to the relevant department for further investigation.
A spokesman for the DH reiterated that the department has always been closely monitoring and taking stringent enforcement actions against violations of the Ordinance (including the distribution of smoking product advertisements). All tobacco products, regardless of whether they are duty paid or not, pose significant health risks. Smokers should quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. Information on smoking cessation can also be obtained from www.livetobaccofree.hk.
DH continues interdepartmental operation against distribution of smoking product advertisements in public housing estates Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH continues interdepartmental operation against distribution of smoking product advertisements in public housing estates Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for Welfare Sector 2025-26 invites applications
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced that the full-time Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector 2025-26 starts inviting applications today (January 13). The programme, which will last for two years, aims to train students to become enrolled nurses to alleviate the shortage of nurses in the welfare sector and enhance the quality of care services. A total of 427 places will be provided by three training institutes.
A spokesman for the SWD said that, in response to the keen demand for nurses in the welfare sector, the department has commissioned the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, the Saint Francis University and the Tung Wah College to provide the Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector for five consecutive years starting from the 2023-24 academic year.
The spokesman said, "Applicants for the programme must be permanent Hong Kong residents with the right of abode in Hong Kong and have attained the age of 18 by the time the training programme commences. They must also have attained Level2 or above in five subjects, including Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and any two other subjects in Categories A (Note) and B, in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination; or an equivalent qualification. Applicants are also required to take note of other entry requirements as specified by respective training institutes."
The spokesman added, "To encourage young people and frontline staff currently serving the welfare sector to upgrade their professional skills, priority will be accorded to applicants who have successfully completed the two-year Diploma Programme and obtained the diploma under the Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services launched in 2015 (or under the First-hire-then-train Pilot Scheme from 2013 to 2016) by the SWD; or those who are currently working full-time in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or private organisations providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, youth or correctional services. Individuals who aspire to pursue a career as enrolled nurses in the welfare sector are also welcome."
Tuition fees will be reimbursed to trainees in full on the condition that they have successfully completed the training programme and qualified to register as enrolled nurses within two years. Trainees will be required to sign an undertaking to work as Enrolled Nurse (General) in NGOs or private organisations recognised by the SWD for providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, or correctional services for a continuous period of no less than three years after completion of the training.
Information seminars on the training programme will be held by the three institutes starting from February. Details about the dates and time of the information seminars, the relevant websites and enquiry numbers are set out in the table below:
Training Institute |
Date and Time of Information Seminar |
Website |
Enquiry Number |
Hong Kong Metropolitan University |
3pm, February 11 |
Programme Content (Chinese only)
www.hkmu.edu.hk/nhs/tc/programmes-courses/nursing-and-health-studies/sub-degree-programmes/higher-diploma-in-nursing-studies/
Application
admissions.hkmu.edu.hk/ug/online-application |
3970 2958 / 3970 2957 |
Saint Francis University |
10.30am, February 5 |
www.sfu.edu.hk/en/programmes/sub-degree-programmes/higher-diploma-in-enrolled-nursing-general-hden-swd/introduction/index.html
|
3702 4388 |
Tung Wah College |
3pm, February 5 |
www.twc.edu.hk/en/Programmes/hdn_swd |
3190 6673 |
Applications will be closed at 5pm on March 3. For enquiries, please call the enquiry numbers of the training institutes.
Note: "Attained" in Citizenship and Social Development will be accepted as Level 2.
