FEHD orders fresh provision shop in Mong Kok to suspend business for 14 days
The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a fresh provision shop in Mong Kok to suspend business for 14 days, as the licensee repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally.
The shop, located at Shop B on the ground floor at 1 Argyle Street, has been ordered to suspend business from today (March 14) to March 27.
"Two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the licensee of the shop in August last year and January this year. A total fine of $4,600 was levied by the court, and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day licence suspension," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
The licensee concerned had a record of two convictions for the same offence in July and August last year. A total fine of $4,200 was levied, and 30 demerit points were registered, leading to a seven-day licence suspension in October last year.
The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
Licensed food premises are required to exhibit their licence and a sign at a conspicuous place of the premises, indicating that the premises are licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/licence-foodPremises-search.html).
Source: AI-found images
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 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.
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 visitwww.livetobaccofree.hkfor information on quitting.
Source: AI-found images
