Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing alternative smoking products
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (August 28) for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted the 39-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on July 1 and seized 36 800 alternative smoking products from his personal baggage. The total estimated market value was about $99,000. He was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Appointments to Quality Education Fund Steering Committee announced
The Government today (January 15) announced the reappointment of Mr Dieter Yih Lai-tak as the Chairman of the Quality Education Fund Steering Committee (QEFSC) and four incumbent members, as well as the appointment of one new member, to the committee. The tenure of their appointments is two years with effect from January 16, 2026.
The four incumbent members reappointed are Dr Susan Fan Yun-sun, Ms Lee Yi-ying, Dr James Li Tsz-shu and Ms Wong Yuk-hing. The newly appointed member is Ms Lam Wing-sze.
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said, "Under Mr Yih's outstanding leadership over the past two years, the Quality Education Fund (QEF) continued to support a wide range of worthwhile projects for promoting quality school education development in Hong Kong. I am confident that under Mr Yih's leadership, and with members' professional support, the QEF will continue to achieve outstanding results in the promotion of quality education in Hong Kong."
Dr Choi also expressed her gratitude to the outgoing member, Dr Shek Wai-keung, for his valuable contribution to and support for the QEFSC in the past years.
The QEF was established in 1998 with $5 billion in capital from the Government to fund innovative projects that help promote quality education in Hong Kong. The QEFSC advises on the policies and operation of the QEF and makes recommendations to the QEF Trustee on the funding applications.
Since its establishment, the QEF has supported over 14 600 projects, with total funding amounting to about $7.2 billion.
The membership list of the QEFSC with effect from January 16, 2026, is as follows:
Chairman
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Mr Dieter Yih Lai-tak
Appointed members
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Ms Rita Chan Yin-nei
Dr Susan Fan Yun-sun
Dr Daphne Ho Kin-yi
Ms Eva Charisa Hsu
Ms Lam Wing-sze #
Ms Lee Yi-ying
Dr Promail Leung Kin-yi
Mr David Leung Yiu-fai
Dr James Li Tsz-shu
Mr Benjamin Ng Yau-keung
Dr Winnie Tang Shuk-ming
Mr Richard Tsang Lap-ki
Mr Simon Wong Hin-wing
Mr Wong Kam-po
Mr Addy Wong Wai-hung
Ms Wong Yuk-hing
Ex-officio member
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Deputy Secretary for Education (5)
# New appointee
Mr Dieter Yih Lai-tak, Photo source: reference image
