Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid tobacco
Two incoming passengers were sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $4,000, and four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $3,000, respectively, by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 9) for possessing duty-not-paid tobacco and failing to declare it to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted a 64-year-old incoming female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on March 8 and seized 6 801 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 200 grams of manufactured tobacco, with an estimated market value of about $29,880 and a duty potential of about $23,280, from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment and fined $4,000 by the Courts today.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 55-year-old female passenger at the same control point on March 31 and seized 599 duty-not-paid cigarettes on her and from her personal baggage. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $2,500, and the duty potential was about $2,000. The passenger was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment and fined $3,000 by the Courts today.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid tobacco 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).
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid tobacco Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid tobacco Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Public reminded to get vaccinated to protect against periodic upsurge of influenza and COVID-19 even though activity levels remain low at present
Although seasonal influenza activity in Hong Kong is currently at a low level, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 9) that it cannot be ruled out that influenza activity may fluctuate as many people have returned from outbound travel following the long holiday and the proportion of influenza B among positive respiratory specimens has increased since mid-March, overtaking influenza A (H3) as the predominant circulating seasonal influenza virus in Hong Kong. Moreover, there is a possibility of another periodic upsurge in COVID-19 activity in the coming months. Therefore, the CHP urges those who have not yet received the 2025/26 seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) or the initial dose of COVID-19 vaccine to do so as soon as possible, in order to protect their personal health and reduce the risk of serious complications and death from infection.
Seasonal influenza
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"The CHP's latest surveillance data shows that the percentage of respiratory specimens that tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week (March 29 to April 4) was 2.17 per cent, slightly higher than the 2.08 per cent recorded in the previous week (March 22 to 28). During the same period, the influenza admission rate in public hospitals was 0.12 cases per 10 000 population, which was also slightly higher than the 0.11 cases per 10 000 population recorded in the previous week. The proportion of influenza B among positive respiratory specimens has gradually increased from approximately 6 per cent in late January to almost 50 per cent last week, overtaking influenza A (H3) as the predominant circulating strain. In recent months, influenza B has also become the predominant circulating influenza virus strain in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Besides, influenza activity in Guangdong province and Macao dropped to low levels in late February, but has recently shown a fluctuating upward trend," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
"Although the weather is gradually warming up, the recent long holiday has seen frequent population movements and a large number of people returning from overseas travel. Hence, fluctuations in influenza activity cannot be ruled out. The CHP will closely monitor the situation. Scientific studies show that this season's SIV provides protection against both influenza A and B viruses. I would like to appeal again to everyone aged six months or above, except those with known contraindications, to get SIV as soon as possible if they have not yet done so, particularly high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, and adults with underlying illnesses or immunosuppression. In addition, those who were infected with influenza during the summer influenza season late last year but have not yet been vaccinated should also get vaccinated promptly to prevent other circulating virus strains," Dr Tsui added.
Apart from receiving SIV at public healthcare facilities underthe DH's SIV Programmes, members of the public may also contact their family doctors to arrange for vaccination. Furthermore, over the past two months, the DH has continued to promote and organise community SIV activities in various districts through the District Councils and the District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams), with the aim of raising disease prevention awareness among local residents and the elderly. Last month, multiple District Councils/Care Teams organised 15 community SIV activities across various districts in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, thereby boosting vaccination coverage in the community, particularly among the elderly living alone.
Dr Tsui added that the CHP will continue to mobilise community resources to encourage and assist more people in receiving the 2025/26 SIV, so as to build a stronger community immunity barrier to safeguard public health.
Periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity may be looming
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COVID-19 has become an endemic disease with cyclical patterns, exhibiting periodic upsurges in activity level approximately every six to nine months in Hong Kong. The CHP's analysis shows that periodic upsurges are associated with changes in the predominant circulating variants and a decline in herd immunity.
"The overall activity of COVID-19 is currently at a low level. Genetic analysis shows that descendant lineages derived from JN.1, including NB.1.8.1 and XFG, remain the predominant variants circulating locally. The COVID-19 vaccines currently used in Hong Kong are effective in preventing infection and serious complications. Separately, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a newly emerged BA.3.2 variant as one of the "Variants under Monitoring"last December. This variant has been detected in more than 20 countries worldwide, but its activity remains relatively low. The WHO considered that there is no evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe disease than the currently circulating variants," said Dr Tsui.
He added that, in view of the periodic resurgence of COVID-19, members of the public should receive a COVID-19 vaccine at an appropriate time to reduce the risk of serious complications and death after infection. Under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, persons aged six months or above may receive initial vaccine doses free of charge, while priority groups may receive booster doses free of charge at least six months after their last vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection, whichever is later, regardless of the number of doses received previously.
Severe COVID-19 cases primarily affect the elderly, children and individuals with underlying illnesses. Scientific data has conclusively proven that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective in minimising the risk of severe disease or death. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated timely. Those at high risk should receive a booster dose as soon as possible. For more information on COVID-19 vaccination, please visitCOVID-19 Vaccination Programme webpage.
Apart from vaccination, Dr Tsui reminded members of the public to maintain stringent personal, environmental and hand hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of contracting seasonal influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. When respiratory symptoms appear, one should wear a surgical mask, consider avoiding going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
For the latest surveillance data, members of the public can refer to the CHP's weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express. For more information on vaccination, please refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Programmewebpage.
Source: AI-found images
