TACO Seizes 800 Suspected Alternative Smoking Products in Enforcement Operation

DH conducts operation to crack down on illegal online sales of alternative smoking products

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (July 21) that it conducted an enforcement operation codenamed "Thunderstone" yesterday (July 20), to crack down on the illegal online sales of alternative smoking products (ASPs). A man was stopped for investigation and 800 suspected ASPs were seized.

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, Photo source: reference image

Through routine online and offline inspections, TACO officers discovered illegal online sales of ASPs and conducted an operation yesterday. A 20-year-old man was stopped for investigation on suspicion of illegally selling and possessing ASPs for commercial purposes. A total of 800 suspected ASPs were seized. TACO is following up on the case and charges will be laid against the suspect when sufficient evidence is found.

According to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), a person who imports ASPs, including e-cigarettes, 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 is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.The Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) prohibits the promotion, manufacture, sale and possession for commercial purposes of ASPs. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. From April 30,2026, any person who possesses specified ASPs, including e-cigarette capsules, liquids, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes in public places is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. If the quantity possessed exceeds the specified limit or involves commercial purposes, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

The DH reminds the public that promoting and selling ASPs through any channel, including the Internet, also carries criminal liability. Do not risk breaking the law. The public is also reminded that purchasing ASPs online may involve their importation and may constitute a breach of the law.

The DH also reminds members of the public that ASPs 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, or visit www.livetobaccofree.hk for information on quitting.

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health announced today (July 21) that it conducted an enforcement operation codenamed "Thunderstone" yesterday (July 20), to crack down on the illegal online sales of alternative smoking products (ASPs). A man was stopped for investigation and 800 suspected ASPs were seized. Photo shows the suspected ASPs seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possesssing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 21) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 31-year-old Mainland female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on May 24 and seized 10 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The duty-not-paid cigarettes had an estimated market value of about $41,000 and a duty potential of about $33,000. The female passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys 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 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).

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 21) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases