Two men sentenced to six months' imprisonment for illegally importing alternative smoking products
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) was notified by Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 15) that 60 000 alternative smoking products were intercepted in the luggage of two men arriving from Japan. TACO immediately arrested and prosecuted the two individuals. The case was heard today (December 16) at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, where both were convicted and sentenced to six months' immediate imprisonment.
Since the amendments to theTobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which conferred arrest powers on TACO inspectors,took effect on September 19 this year, TACO has prosecuted 14 cases involving the importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Sixteen persons have been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment ranging from two to six months.
According to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), a person who imports alternative smoking products, including electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, commits an offence and isliable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years; or liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2,000,000 and imprisonment for seven years.
Moreover, under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person may promote, manufacture, sell, or possess for commercial purposes alternative smoking products. An offender is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
The DH welcomes the court's ruling, stating that the imprisonment carries significant deterrent effect. DH reminds the public and visitors not to bring alternative smoking products (such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, or herbal cigarettes) into Hong Kong and not to use such products. TACO will continue to closely monitor and enforce the law to combat related offences.
The DH also cautions the public that alternative smoking products are addictive and are not effective smoking cessation tools. E-cigarettes may increase the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Smokers are urged to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For assistance, please call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, or visit www.livetobaccofree.hk for information on quitting.
Source: AI-found images
Press briefing and media visit held on Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos/video)
The Highways Department (HyD), the Transport Department (TD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) held a joint press briefing today (December 16) at the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (CKB (YMTS)) Administration Building on the detailed arrangements for the commissioning of the CKB (YMTS) on December 21 (Sunday). The HyD also arranged a media visit to the CKB (YMTS) after the briefing.
At the press briefing, representatives of the HyD, the TD and the HKPF introduced to the media the project highlights and construction challenges of the CKB (YMTS), its benefits, as well as the traffic enforcement and control arrangements after its commissioning. The CKB (YMTS) project, which was large in scale and full of challenges, involved the construction of various sections including flyovers, a drill-and-blast tunnel and an underwater tunnel in a bustling urban area. During the construction, the HyD adhered to a "people-oriented" principle, all along ensuring smooth surface traffic and the continued operation of nearby community facilities, while making efforts to enhance community amenities by making good use of the roofs of both tunnel portals to create landscaped decks, integrating recreational facilities into transportation infrastructure.
Motorists will be able to travel directly between Yau Ma Tei and Kowloon Bay through the CKB (YMTS), with the journey time significantly reduced from currently about 30 minutes to just about five minutes. There will be eight bus routes using the CKB (YMTS) after its commissioning and it is expected that four additional bus routes will be using the CKB (YMTS) next year. The CKB will be a toll road, with tolls commencing when the entire CKB, including the Kowloon Bay Section, is fully commissioned next year.
After the press briefing, media representatives boarded press coaches arranged by the HyD to visit both tunnel portals and the carriageway, experiencing the convenience brought by the CKB (YMTS) and gaining a better understanding of the tunnel facilities and the design of the connecting roads.
To help motorists familiarise themselves with the driving routes in advance, the relevant driving guide and videos have been uploaded onto the CKB (YMTS) website (ckr-hyd.hk/travel/).
Press briefing and media visit held on Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Press briefing and media visit held on Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Press briefing and media visit held on Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
