New phase of tobacco control measures will take effect on January 1, 2026, including extension of statutory No Smoking Areas (NSAs) to public places that lie within three metres outside the entrances/exits exclusively used for child care centres, residential care homes, schools, hospitals and specified clinics or health centres; prohibition of smoking while queuing; and increase of the fixed penalty for smoking offences from $1,500 to $3,000.
No Smoking Areas (NSAs), Photo by Bastille Post
Dr. Lam Man Chung, the Head of Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, said in a radio program that although the law does not require designated areas to mark 3-meter No Smoking Areas outside the entrances/exits, he believed that the range of 3 meters is not a short distance, equivalent to about 6 to 7 steps walked by an adult. In his eyes, if smokers are aware of the law's requirements, it would not be difficult for them to leave the No Smoking Areas. He also said that if, in the early stage of the measure implementation, if smokers are found accidentally passing by or standing at the boundary of the No Smoking Areas, they will be verbally persuaded or receive warnings.
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, Photo source: reference image
Dr. Lam said that the government will promote the new tobacco control measures to tourists and communicate with the tourism and hotel industries, to see if they can cooperate for broader publicity in the ways of distributing promotional materials and using social media platforms, etc.
He also said that in the initial stage of the measure implementation, more proactive inspections would be carried out at bus stops or new regulated locations, including tourist hotspots, etc., to enhance public awareness of the new control measures as well as strengthen the enforcement and deterrence of the regulations.
DENVER (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday threw out a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit accusing Colorado and Denver of interfering with the enforcement of immigration laws.
The lawsuit claimed the state and its most populous city passed “sanctuary laws” violating the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. At issue were four state laws and two Denver laws that limit the use of resources for immigration enforcement and protect the rights and personal information of immigrants.
U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher said the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 1997 case that the federal government can't “dragoon” state officers into carrying out federal law. He granted requests from Colorado and Denver officials to dismiss the lawsuit, concluding that “Colorado and Denver have the right to refuse to expend their resources to implement a federal regulatory program.”
The Department of Justice didn't immediately return an after-hours request for comment.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston welcomed the ruling.
“Today's ruling makes clear that we cannot be required to use local resources to enforce federal policies,” he said in a statement.
The Department of Justice filed similar lawsuits targeting state or city policies seen as interfering with immigration enforcement, including those in Los Angeles, New York City and Minnesota and cities there. A federal judge dismissed a case challenging Chicago's laws last year.
There is no strict definition for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities, but the terms generally describe limited local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE enforces U.S. immigration laws nationwide but seeks state and local help, particularly for large-scale deportations, and requests that police and sheriffs alert it about people it wants to deport and hold them until federal officers take custody.
A banner of President Donald Trump hangs outside the U.S. Department of Justice on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)
