DH launches training programme on tobacco control for professionals in WHO Western Pacific Region to promote regional tobacco control exchange
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 13) launched the five-day Annual Training Programme on Tobacco Control 2025,to assist tobacco control personnel from countries and regions within the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region to develop appropriate and comprehensive tobacco control strategies in accordance with WHO recommendations.
In April 2012, the DH was designated by the WHO to establish the Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence in Hong Kong, China, to serve as a regional hub that supports smoking cessation training for other member states/regions within the Western Pacific Region. The Training Programme is structured according to the WHO's tobacco control measures, covering legislation, law enforcement, publicity and advocacy, as well as the development and evaluation of smoking cessation services, etc. It equips participants with the knowledge necessary to control the tobacco epidemic through comprehensive strategies and to plan tobacco control measures in a more forward-looking manner.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam, said, "This year, 40 participants from the Chinese Mainland, the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Malaysia, Vietnam and Tonga participated in the online programme. Since the establishment of the Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence in the Hong Kong SAR, over 300 tobacco control personnel from government agencies and non-governmental organisations in the Western Pacific Region have participated in the Training Programme organised by the DH. Their positive feedback has enabled us to continuously refine and enrich the programme."
The Technical Lead for Tobacco-Free Initiatives at the WHO's Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Ms Mina Kashiwabara, also attended today's opening ceremony and delivered remarks.
The DH has invited a number of overseas and local experts to share their valuable experience in tobacco control. TACO staff also briefed the participants on Hong Kong's regulation and enforcement of new smoking products, smoking cessation services and smoking cessation support for healthcare workers.
In addition to the Training Programme, TACO also provides comprehensive smoking cessation training courses for healthcare professionals in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area every year to enhance their capabilities in providing counselling and treatment for tobacco dependence. Furthermore, TACO also organises annual training courses on Chinese medicine acupuncture to help frontline Chinese medicine practitioners further improve their knowledge and skills in smoking cessation.
The Hong Kong SAR Government has introduced various tobacco control measures, including strengthening smoking cessation services. The DH will continue to actively promote smoking cessation services and provide continued support in cessation training and assistance. Members of the public can call 1833 183 or visit the smoking cessation thematic website for more information on quitting and the available support tools and services.
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
