TACO Officers to Use Smart Tools for Efficient Fixed Penalty Notices Starting October 30

TACO of DH introduces smart tools for filling in fixed penalty notices to enhance efficiency

​The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health announced today (October 28) that frontline TACO officers will start using smart tools for issuing fixed penalty notices (FPNs) from October 30. This initiative will streamline procedures, improve data accuracy and enhance enforcement efficiency.

Frontline TACO officers are empowered to enforce the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), which includes taking prosecution actions against individuals who smoke in statutory no-smoking areas or on public transport carriers.

Currently, TACO officers need to manually fill in offenders' personal details on printed FPNs during enforcement. Staff in the back office then check the information and input it into the backend system.

Starting October 30, when issuing FPNs to offenders, TACO officers will be able to scan offenders' Hong Kong identity (HKID) cards using an electronic system, which will instantly import the offender's personal details, such as name and HKID number, into the FPN. The system will also automatically record the time, location and details of the enforcement officers. Officers will print the FPNs on the spot using portable printers and issue them to the offenders. The data will be automatically synchronised with the backend system, saving processing time and manpower needs in the back office while improving overall efficiency.

Neither TACO officers nor the relevant mobile application will store images of the offenders' HKID cards. The personal data collected during enforcement will remain the same as that currently recorded manually.

The Director of Health, empowered under section 17A of the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance (Cap. 600), has specified the formats for both handwritten and mobile-printed FPNs (see Annex). Although the two versions of FPNs differ slightly in format, their content is identical and both carry the same legal effect. Offenders may still be issued handwritten FPNs by TACO or other law enforcement departments.

Source: AI-found images

Man sentenced to three months' imprisonment for operating unlicensed slaughterhouse, illegally slaughtering food animals and selling prohibited food

A man pleaded guilty at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (June 3) to charges of operating an unlicensed slaughterhouse, illegally slaughtering food animals, and selling prohibited food at a goat farm in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, in breach of the Slaughterhouses Regulation and the Food Business Regulation. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for each of the three charges by the Court, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The spokeman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said that the FEHD conducted a blitz operation with the Police on April 16 this year, successfully cracked down on illegal goat slaughtering activities and the sale of prohibited food at the goat farm, and arrested and charged the man.

Under the Slaughterhouses Regulation and the Food Business Regulation, operating an unlicensed slaughterhouse, illegally slaughtering food animals, or sale of prohibited food are serious offences. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment up to six months.

The spokesman emphasised the FEHD's deep concern and strong commitment to combating the illegal slaughtering of food animals and the sale of prohibited food through stringent enforcement actions against violations. Anyone who discovers suspected illegal slaughtering activities or has doubts about the origin of meat being sold by retailers can report it by calling 1823.

Source: AI-found images