DH responds to media enquiries about efforts to combat illegal smoking
In response to media enquiries about efforts to combat illegal smoking, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health today (August 28) gave the following response:
"Between August 25 and 30, TACO conducts an enforcement operation codenamed "Laserflame" to crack down on illegal smoking in statutory no smoking areas (NSAs) of public transport facilities throughout the territory. The operation aims to raise public awareness of relevant smoking ban regulations, including the 10 newly designated NSAs at public transport facilities (PTFs) effective from August 31, while intensifying efforts to combat illegal smoking. All enforcement actions strictly adhered to legal provisions and procedures.
TACO conducts enforcement actions according to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance and coordinates manpower deployment. Stringent operational guidelines have been established and professional training has been provided to TACO officers. The reference benchmarks set by TACO for planning of enforcement actions aims to provide the teams a reference for manpower deployment and enforcement work priorities. They are not rigid targets of enforcement figures set for frontline officers. TACO emphasises that frontline officers take enforcement action only when they actually observe violations, but not rigidly pursuing a specified target.
TACO calls on the public to observe the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance and work together to maintain a smoke-free environment in PTFs. NSAs are marked with designated signs and layout plans, with clearly delineated demarcation lines according to the actual environment to remind citizens to comply with smoking bans. 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.
As of 5pm today, officers from TACO conducted 203 inspections at PTFs and issued 39 FPNs for smoking offences during the "Laserflame" operation.
In addition to its law enforcement work, TACO actively promotes smoke-free environments through preventive smoking education and cessation services, including community outreach to raise public awareness of smoking's hazards.
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."
Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 22) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). As temperatures rise and humidity increases, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Dengue fever
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From May 15 to yesterday (May 21), the CHP recorded two imported DF cases. During the incubation periods, one of the patients had travelled to Malaysia, while the other patient had been to multiple countries, namely Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.
Hong Kong has recorded 19 DF cases so far this year, including 18 imported cases and one local case. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, including 156 imported cases and five local cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. From January to July 2025, over 4 million cases and over 3 000 DF-related deaths were reported in 97 countries/territories.
DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Malaysia and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, as of May 10, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 97 cases in Guangdong Province this year, including eight locally infected cases. Guangdong Province recorded over 3 500 locally infected cases in 2025.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP'swebsite.
Chikungunya fever
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From May 15 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Meanwhile, as of May 10, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded four cases in Guangdong Province this year, including one locally infected case.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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According to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year.With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further. Therefore, the CHP reminded members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
