Hong Kong Customs Launches Anti-Illicit Cigarette Campaign, Highlights Duty Stamp System and Increased Penalties.

2026-06-25 18:33 Last Updated At：18:48

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Yau Tong and Lok Fu

Hong Kong Customs conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns for two consecutive days (June 24 and 25) with members of the 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 Yau Tong Estate, Ko Cheung Court and Lok Fu Estate respectively, and publicised the Duty Stamp System. Members of Customs YES also participated in the activities in Lok Fu.

Click to Gallery

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Yau Tong and Lok Fu Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

More Images

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Yau Tong and Lok Fu Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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. As well, Customs explained to estate security guards how to deal with suspected illicit cigarette activities.

Customs officers also introduced to the members of the District Council, 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 distinguishment of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat "cheap whites".

Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise the 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 Releases June Gravidtrap and Density Indexes for Aedes Albopictus Mosquitoes Across 31 Survey Areas.

FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 25) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in June, covering 31 survey areas, as follows:

District	Survey Area	June 2026
District	Survey Area	First PhaseGravidtrap Index	First PhaseDensity Index
Central and Western	Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui	7.4%	1.5
Eastern	North Point and Quarry Bay	6.8%	1.0
Southern	Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau	9.1%	2.8
Wan Chai	Tin Hau and Causeway Bay	7.5%	2.5
Kwun Tong	Kwun Tong Central	21.4%	1.2
Mong Kok	Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui	0.0%	N/A
Sham Shui Po	Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei	3.3%	1.0
Yau Tsim	Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei	0.0%	N/A
Sha Tin	Tai Wai	0.0%	N/A
Kwai Tsing	Kwai Chung West	17.8%	1.0
Kwai Tsing	Lai King	9.6%	1.0
Tsuen Wan	Tsuen Wan Town	8.5%	1.4
Yuen Long	Tin Shui Wai	18.0%	1.0

District	Survey Area	June 2026
District	Survey Area	Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Central and Western	Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun	8.8%	1.9
Eastern	Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho	14.3%	1.1
Southern	Pok Fu Lam	13.3%	1.5
Wan Chai	Happy Valley and Tai Hang	4.3%	1.2
Kowloon City	Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan	7.9%	1.1
Kowloon City	Kai Tak	9.4%	1.2
Sham Shui Po	Cheung Sha Wan	29.2%	1.7
Wong Tai Sin	Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong	11.1%	1.2
North	Sheung Shui	10.0%	1.0
Sai Kung	Sai Kung Town	11.3%	1.2
	Tseung Kwan O East	3.4%	1.3
	Tseung Kwan O North	12.9%	1.1
Sha Tin	Ma On Shan	18.5%	1.1
Sha Tin	Sha Tin East	8.9%	1.5
Tsuen Wan	Tsuen Wan West	6.5%	1.0
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun South	7.3%	1.3
Yuen Long	Hung Shui Kiu and Ping Shan	5.3%	1.0
Yuen Long	Yuen Long Town	6.9%	1.0

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April every year. The indexes are higher from May to June. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. As compared with last year, the temperature began to climb earlier this year and the rainfall in June increased substantially, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. Depending on factors like rainfall, the indexes may rise further, but the overall trend of gravidtrap indexes this year is similar to those of previous years.

The FEHD has also carried out a series of actions, including:

conducting risk assessments to identify locations with more serious mosquito infestation, so as to carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control work, including stepping up inspections, eliminating mosquito breeding and potential breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations;

convening special meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders, such as construction site contractors, schools and property management companies, in strengthening venues' mosquito control work;

organising exhibitions with the relevant departments and stakeholders, and distributing leaflets and posters; and

notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management companies and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.

During the follow-up actions and following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers at a construction site, a park, four public housing estates, four private housing estates and two private premises in Southern District, Kwun Tong District, Sham Shui Po District, North District, Sai Kung District and Yuen Long District, the FEHD has issued 12 statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;

remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization andtaking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

Hong Kong Customs Launches Anti-Illicit Cigarette Campaign, Highlights Duty Stamp System and Increased Penalties.

HK