Woman sentenced to four months' imprisonment for illegally importing alternative smoking products
A woman was sentenced today (March 14) at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts to four months' imprisonment for illegally importing 22 000 alternative smoking products. 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 Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts, the Kowloon City Law Courts Building
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH was notified by Hong Kong Customs on March 12 that 22 000 alternative smoking products had been intercepted in the luggage of the aforesaid woman arriving from Japan. TACO immediately arrested and prosecuted the individual.
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO), Photo source: Department of Health
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 18 cases involving importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Twenty 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 visi twww.livetobaccofree.hk for information on quitting.
Source: AI-created image
Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 1) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). As temperatures gradually rise and humidity increases, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Dengue fever
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From April 24 to yesterday (April 30), the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had travelled to Vietnam during the incubation period.
Regarding the local DF case announced earlier, the CHP has conducted health assessments for approximately 700 individuals, including workers at the same construction site as the patient and residents of the same housing estate. None of them have exhibited any symptoms. The CHP has not received any reports of suspected DF cases epidemiologically linked to that local case.
Hong Kong has recorded 17 DF cases so far this year, including 16 imported cases and one local case. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, including 156 imported cases and five local cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. From January to July 2025, over 4 million cases and over 3 000 DF-related deaths were reported in 97 countries/territories.
DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Malaysia and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, as of April 19, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 69 cases in Guangdong Province this year, including four locally infected cases. Guangdong Province recorded over 3 500 locally infected cases in 2025.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP'swebsite.
Chikungunya fever
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From April 24 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Meanwhile, as of April 19, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded three cases in Guangdong Province this year, including one locally infected case.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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According to the latest surveillance data from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the mosquito infestations in Hong Kong worsened in April. In addition, the average temperature and rainfall in April this year were higher than those of the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. Therefore, the CHP reminded members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether traveling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
