DH's enforcement operation "Laserflame" against illegal smoking in statutory no smoking areas of public transport facilities and Announcement of extension of statutory no smoking areas in public transport facilities
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) will conduct an enforcement operation codenamed "Laserflame" between next Monday (August 25) and August 30 against illegal smoking in statutory no smoking areas of public transport facilities across the territory. Officers will also publicise the relevant smoking ban regulations to members of the public.
From January 2021 to June 2025, TACO has conducted over 19 400 inspections at public transport facilities regarding smoking offences, and issued more than 9 400 fixed penalty notices/summons.
The DH also reminded the public that, effective from August 31, 10 public transport facilities (PTFs) will be newly designated as no smoking areas (NSAs), and one PTF's NSA will be revised under the Smoking (Public Health) (Designation of No Smoking Areas) (Amendment) Notice 2025.
The 10 PTFs newly designated as NSAs are:
1. Chai Wan (East) Temporary Bus Terminus;
2. Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange, Wan Chai;
3. Wong Chuk Hang Station Public Transport Facilities;
4. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port Public Transport Interchange;
5. Kwai Tsui Estate Public Transport Interchange, Kwai Chung;
6. Pak Tam Chung Bus Terminus, Sai Kung;
7. Tuen Mun Central Bus Terminus;
8. Tung Chung Development Pier Bus Terminus;
9. Yau Oi (South) Bus Terminus, Tuen Mun (temporarily closed); and
10. Yuen Long (Tak Yip Street) Bus Terminus.
The one PTF with revised NSA is Central Ferry Piers Public Transport Interchange.
To protect public health, it is the established policy of the Government to discourage smoking, contain the proliferation of tobacco use and protect the public from second-hand smoke. The Notice was gazetted on May 30 this year and will take effect on August 31, expanding the smoking ban to 272 PTFs throughout the territory.
No-smoking signs and layout plans are put up, and demarcation lines are displayed to clearly indicate the boundaries with regard to the respective physical settings at the NSAs to remind the public of the smoke-free requirements. Plans showing the boundaries of the NSAs are available in the Land Registry, and will be uploaded to the TACO's website for public inspection.
Any person who does a smoking act in NSAs or in public transport carriers will be liable for a fixed penalty of $1,500. Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will prosecute smoking offenders without prior warning.
For the sake of the health of individuals, their families and others, the Government appeals to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible. Members of the public may call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, which is operated by registered nurses to provide professional counselling services on smoking cessation.
Source: AI-found images
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
