Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Tai Wai
Hong Kong Customs today (January 13) conducted a joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaign with members of the Sha Tin District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health, the Police and the Housing Department (HD) at Lung Hang Estate and Mei Lam Estate in Tai Wai and publicised the Duty Stamp System.
Customs officers patrolled the housing estates and distributed promotional items, as well as explained anti-illicit cigarette messages and the new penalties for offences related to illicit cigarettes to residents, including the penalty increase for offences of failing to declare to Customs officers compoundable under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) from $2,000 to $5,000 and the enhanced maximum penalty for relevant offences relating to duty-not-paid tobacco from a $1 million fine and two-year imprisonment to a $2 million fine and seven-year imprisonment.
Customs officers also introduced the Duty Stamp System to be implemented in Hong Kong to members of the District Council and residents. The three-month Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System launched by Customs concluded on January 4. Customs will, upon concluding the experience gained in the Pilot Run and examining the feedback collected from various stakeholders, work with a technical consultant to optimise the design of the Duty Stamp System. Customs plans to implement the first phase of the Duty Stamp System in the fourth quarter of this year, with full implementation in the second quarter of 2027, thus achieving the ultimate goal of effectively distinguishing duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones and combating "cheap whites".
Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise the public awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public, especially young people, not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.
Under the DCO, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotional leaflets). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public may report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflets distribution to TACO's hotline 2961 8823.
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Tai Wai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Tai Wai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Tai Wai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government announces senior appointments
The Government announced today (January 13) the following senior appointments:
(a) Ms Shirley Lam Shuet-lai, Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service on January 19, 2026, to succeed Mr Clement Leung Cheuk-man who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day;
(b) Mr Patrick Li Pak-chuen, Permanent Secretary for Security, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs on January 19, 2026;
(c) Miss Amy Yuen Wai-yin, Deputy Director, Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (Beijing Office), will take up the post of Director of Administration and Development of the Department of Justice on February 9, 2026, to succeed Ms Jessie Wong Hok-ling who has proceeded on pre-retirement leave;
(d) Miss Pamela Lam Nga-man, Deputy Secretary for Development (Works), will take up the post of Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on February 9, 2026, vice Ms Maisie Chan Kit-ling; and
(e) Dr Cheung Tsz-chun, Assistant Government Chemist, will take up the post of Government Chemist on February 5, 2026, to succeed Dr Lee Wai-on who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day.
Commenting on the appointments of Ms Lam, Mr Li, Ms Yuen and Miss Lam, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, "The appointees are seasoned Administrative Officers with proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that they will continue to serve the community with professionalism in their new posts."
Commenting on the appointment of Dr Cheung, Mrs Yeung said, "Dr Cheung possesses profound professional knowledge and experience and has proven leadership and management skills. I am confident that he will be able to lead the Government Laboratory to meet the challenges ahead."
Turning to the retirement of three senior officials, Mrs Yeung thanked them for each rendering over 30 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community and making significant contributions to the Government. She wished them a fulfilling and happy retirement.
Mrs Yeung said, "As Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Leung spearheaded a number of reforms to strengthen civil service management, including, most notably, the promulgation of the refined Civil Service Code to clearly spell out core values and standards of conduct that civil servants must uphold, the implementation of the civil service mobilisation mechanism to enhance emergency response capabilities, the introduction of the Heads of Department Accountability System to strengthen supervisory accountability, and the amendment of the Public Service (Administration) Order to improve disciplinary mechanisms. With exemplary leadership and strategic vision, he saw to the fair and sound administration of appointment, management and training policies, thereby ensuring that the civil service continued to meet the needs and expectations of society with efficiency, integrity and professionalism."
Turning to Ms Wong, Mrs Yeung said, "During Ms Wong's tenure as Director of Administration and Development of the Department of Justice, she played a pivotal role in orchestrating the smooth operation of the department, thereby ensuring its effective, efficient and equitable administration of justice. She also spearheaded the conversion of the Old Wan Chai Police Station into the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation, the inauguration of which underpinned Hong Kong's status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region."
On Dr Lee, Mrs Yeung said, "Dr Lee has served with professionalism and commitment in the civil service throughout the years. As Government Chemist, Dr Lee has led the Laboratory in helping various government departments handle important incidents and has made sustained efforts to provide our community with quality analytical, forensic, and advisory services."
Brief biographical notes of the eight officers are set out below:
Mr Clement Leung Cheuk-man
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Mr Leung joined the Administrative Service in July 1987 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in April 2020. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Chief Secretary's Office, the Post Office, the former Government House, the former Security Branch, the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, the former Education and Manpower Bureau, the Trade and Industry Department, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, as well as the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. He was Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA from February 2014 to June 2018, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Creative Industries) from June 2018 to June 2022, and has been serving as Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service since July 2022.
Ms Jessie Wong Hok-ling
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Ms Wong joined the Government in July 1988 as an Executive Officer. She later joined the Administrative Service in October 1992 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2024. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Royal Hong Kong Police Force, the former Home Affairs Branch, the former Regional Services Department, the Security Bureau, the former Environment and Food Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, and the Education Bureau. She was Co-ordinator (Special Duties) in the Financial Secretary's Office (FSO) from October 2019 to November 2020, Head, Budget and Tax Policy Unit of the FSO from December 2020 to August 2022, and served as Director of Administration and Development of the Department of Justice from August 2022 to January 2026.
Dr Lee Wai-on
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Dr Lee joined the Government as Chemist in October1988. He was promoted to Chief Chemist in March 2013 and to Assistant Government Chemist in August 2016. He has been Government Chemist since May2022.
Ms Shirley Lam Shuet-lai
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Ms Lam joined the Administrative Service in August 1990 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in April 2024. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Transport Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Regional Services Department, the former Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, the former Transport Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, the former Food and Health Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau and the Department of Marine. She was Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union from October 2015 to August 2019, Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive's Office from September 2019 to June 2022, and has been serving as Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs since July 2022.
Mr Patrick Li Pak-chuen
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Mr Li joined the Administrative Service in August 1990 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in April 2024. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Constitutional Affairs Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Civil Service Branch, the Department of Health, the Security Bureau, the former Education and Manpower Bureau, the former Education Department, the Home Affairs Department, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Chief Executive's Office, the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service, as well as the Home Affairs Department. He was Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs from July 2017 to February 2021, Director of Broadcasting from March 2021 to June 2022, and has been serving as Permanent Secretary for Security since July 2022.
Miss Amy Yuen Wai-yin
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Miss Yuen joined the Administrative Service in August 1992 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2024. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Health and Welfare Branch, the Housing Department, the Home Affairs Department, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva, the former Finance Bureau, the former Education and Manpower Bureau and the Development Bureau. She was Assistant Director of Environmental Protection (Water Policy) from August 2011 to November 2016, Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Health) (later renamed as Deputy Secretary for Health) from November 2016 to July 2022, and has been serving as Deputy Director, Beijing Office since August 2022.
Miss Pamela Lam Nga-man
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Miss Lam joined the Administrative Service in July 1995 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2025. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Civil Service Bureau, the former Recreation and Culture Branch, the Department of Health, the former Environment and Food Bureau, the Security Bureau, the former Economic Development and Labour Bureau, the former Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, the Beijing Office, the Innovation and Technology Commission, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu. She was Deputy Director, Beijing Office from June 2018 to August 2022, Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics from August 2022 to May 2023, and has been serving as Deputy Secretary for Development (Works) since September 2023.
Dr Cheung Tsz-chun
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Dr Cheung joined the Government as Chemist in June 1998. He was promoted to Chief Chemist in May 2023 and to Assistant Government Chemist in April 2025.
Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
