Man sentenced to three months' imprisonment for illegally importing alternative smoking products
A man was sentenced today (April 13 ) at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts to three months' imprisonment for illegally importing 18 400 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 West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, the West Kowloon Law Courts Building
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH was notified by Hong Kong Customs on April 11 that 18 400 alternative smoking products had been intercepted in the luggage of the aforesaid man 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 20 cases involving the importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Twenty-three 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 visit www.livetobaccofree.hk for information on quitting.
Source: AI-created image
HKSAR and Mainland sign new arrangement on mutual service of judicial documents in civil and commercial proceedings
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and Vice-president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) Mr Mao Zhonghua signed the Arrangement on Mutual Service of Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Proceedings between the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(New Arrangement) yesterday (April 20), enhancing the mechanism for mutual service of judicial documents in civil and commercial proceedings between the two places.
Over the 27 years since the implementation of the existing Arrangement for Mutual Service of Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Proceedings between the Mainland and Hong Kong Courts (Existing Arrangement), the volume of requests for mutual service of judicial documents between the courts of the two places has surged in recent years. However, the success rate for service of judicial documents under the Existing Arrangement is relatively low. In response to the strong demand from the legal sector, statutory bodies and members of the public for an enhanced service mechanism, the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Judiciary and the SPC, after an extended period of prudent discussions, finalised the enhanced mechanism for mutual service of judicial documents in civil and commercial proceedings between the Mainland and Hong Kong, with the New Arrangement signed yesterday. The New Arrangement aims to further promote the alignment of mechanisms and rules between the two legal systems.
The New Arrangement is not a completely new arrangement, but an enhanced version of the Existing Arrangement. The New Arrangement increases the modes of service, offers more options and flexibility, and introduces efficiency enhancement measures. This aims to promote timely and efficient handling of cross-border civil and commercial cases, strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of parties in the two places, and better accommodate the increasingly close-knit ties and judicial needs between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
The DoJ will introduce the New Arrangement to the Legislative Council Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services next Monday (April 27). The New Arrangement will come into effect only after the completion of relevant legislative procedures in Hong Kong. The DoJ will work closely with the Judiciary to complete the required legislative amendments work to implement the New Arrangement as soon as practicable.
The Department of Justice (DoJ), Photo source: reference image
