Ballot to allocate quotas for allowing dogs to enter permitted food premises on June 12
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (June 9) that a ballot will be conducted this Friday (June 12) to allocate quotas for applications for allowing dogs to enter permitted food premises.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The FEHD accepted applications from restaurants for allowing dogs to enter their premises between May 18 and June 8, receiving a total of 2 205 applications. To implement the new measure in a prudent and orderly manner, a quota of not more than 1 000 restaurants is set for the first phase of application. After striking out duplicated, self-withdrawn, and known-to-be ineligible applications (including those without valid restaurant licence and those operating mainly as hotpot/barbecue restaurants), the department will conduct a ballot to allocate the quotas among the remaining 1 615 valid applications."
Photo source: reference image
The ballot will be conducted at 10am on June 12 at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon. The Chairman of Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council, Ms Chan Hoi-yan, will officiate the ballot as the guest of honour. The balloting process will be live-streamed via the FEHD's Facebook page, and both the process and results will be uploaded to the FEHD's dedicated webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/dog_restaurants/index.html) on the same day. The FEHD will reserve 100 seats for members of the public. Those interested in attending must register in advance by calling 2867 5912 or 2867 2836 on or before June 12 from 9am to 5pm. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants will be notified of the ballot results via SMS. Furthermore, the FEHD will deploy dedicated officers to visit successful food premises on June 16 and 17 to deliver Approval Letters and brief their operators on the statutory requirements, licence conditions and other compliance arrangements. Successful applicants must bring along the Approval Letter and existing original copy of the restaurant licence to any Licence Issuing Offices (Hong Kong and Islands, Kowloon and the New Territories) as listed in the Approval Letter, and pay a fee of $140, on or before June 24, to amend their licences to include the permission. If applicants fail to complete the procedures within the specific period, or withdraw the qualifications for other reasons, the FEHD will arrange other applicants to fill the vacancies according to the sequential order from the ballot result. The FEHD will specify a date in July from which dogs will be allowed to enter permitted food premises. The exact date will be announced in due course.
Photo source: reference image
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Kwun Tong
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 9) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities with Legislative Council Member Mr Cheung Pui-kong, members of the Kwun Tong District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Housing Department (HD) in Tsui Ping (North) Estate and Sau Mau Ping Estate in Kwun Tong. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System.
Customs officers patrolled the housing estates and introduced to residents Customs' enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes and the latest amendments to illicit cigarette-related legislation, including an increase in the maximum penalty for offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes to a $2 million fine and seven years' imprisonment. Customs also explained to estate security personnel how to deal with suspected illicit cigarette activities.
Customs officers also introduced to the Council members, residents, newspaper stall keepers and cigarette retailers the Duty Stamp System to be implemented in Hong Kong. The three-month Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System launched by Customs concluded early this year. The department will continue to maintain close communication with all stakeholders and optimise the design and implementation details of the system. Customs expects the Duty Stamp System to achieve the ultimate goal of effective distinguishing of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat "cheap whites".
Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise public awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotional leaflet). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public are also urged to report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflet distribution to TACO's hotline 2961 8823.
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Kwun Tong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Kwun Tong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Kwun Tong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
