Man sentenced to six months' imprisonment for illegally importing alternative smoking products
A man was sentenced today (March 7) at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts to six months' imprisonment for illegally importing alternative smoking products, including 42 600 heat sticks and seven heated tobacco devices. The Department of Health (DH) welcomed the verdict and reminded members of 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 any alternative smoking products.
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH was notified by Hong Kong Customs on March 6 that 42 600 heat sticks and seven heated tobacco devices had been intercepted in the luggage of the aforesaid man arriving from Guangzhou. TACO immediately arrested and prosecuted the individual.
Since the amendments to theTobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which conferred arrest powers on TACO inspectors,took effect on September 19, 2025, TACO has prosecuted 17 cases involving importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Nineteen persons have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms 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 million and imprisonment for seven years.
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.
TACO will continue to closely monitor and enforce the law to combat related offences.
In addition, 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, and or visitwww.livetobaccofree.hkfor information on quitting.
Source: AI-found images
CHP investigates cluster of acute gastroenteritis cases at training institute in Wong Chuk Hang
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (March 7) investigating a cluster of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a training institute in Wong Chuk Hang, and reminded the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne illnesses.
As of noon today, the cluster involves 53 trainees (48 males and five female) aged between 20 and 40. They developed symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever from the evening of March 5 onwards. Among those affected, 33 individuals sought medical attention. All cases are mild, requiring no hospitalisation. They are currently in stable condition.
The CHP is investigating the cluster of AGE cases from multiple angles, including the possibility of transmission via contaminated food, environment exposure or person-to-person contact. Preliminary investigation indicated that all affected individuals are boarding students at the institute who had shared meals multiple times at the institute's food premises prior to falling ill. Currently, the CHP cannot rule out the possibility that some patients may have contracted AGE from consuming contaminated food. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been notified for follow-up investigation. Officers of the FEHD (including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) immediately visited the food premises concerned to investigate and inspect the handling processes and food hygiene, and collected samples for testing. As a precautionary measure, the officers of the Centre for Food Safety have also directed the food premises to thoroughly clean and disinfect the premises, and provided health education related to food safety and environmental hygiene to the staff of the premises.
The CHP will continue its epidemiological investigation and take appropriate follow-up actions, including collecting stool samples from patients for laboratory testing to identify the pathogen of this outbreak. The CHP officers have inspected the institute and provided the institute with recommended infection control measures. The CHP will put the institute under medical surveillance.
"AGE can be caused by a number of different pathogens, including bacteria such asSalmonellaandVibrio parahaemolyticus, and viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus. AGE may occur in all ages. Alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water, as alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses frequently causing AGE, e.g. norovirus," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
Members of the public should take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:
Ensure proper personalhygiene;
Wash hands thoroughlybefore handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
Wear gloves and wash hands after handling vomitus or faecal matter;
Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with 1:49 diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
Stay home from work or school, and seek medical advice if suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea;
Maintain good indoor ventilation;
Pay attention to food hygiene;
Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
Drink boiled water; and
Do not patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.
Members of the public may visit the CHP's webpages for more information and preventive advice on Viral Gastroenteritis.
Source: AI-found images
