DH clamps down on illegal sale of alternative smoking products
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (July 23) that it carried out an enforcement operation codenamed "Thunderstone" yesterday (July 22) to continuously combat the illegal sale of alternative smoking products (ASPs). A man was intercepted in Sau Mau Ping, and a total of 400 ASPs were seized.
TACO earlier received a complaint about the distribution of promotional leaflets for smoking products. Following investigation, enforcement action was taken yesterday, during which a 39-year-old man was stopped on suspicion of illegally selling and possessing ASPs for commercial purposes. A total of 400 ASPs were seized. TACO is continuing its investigation and will initiate prosecution once sufficient evidence has been obtained.
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 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, carries criminal liability. Purchasing ASPs online may also involve importation and breach 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 visitwww.livetobaccofree.hkfor information on quitting.
DH clamps down on illegal sale of alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Mainland resident jailed for conspiracy to transfer forged identity card and conspiracy to make false instrument
A 54-year-old Mainland female resident, charged with two counts of conspiracy to transfer a forged identity card and one count of conspiracy to make a false instrument, was convicted and sentenced to 32 months' imprisonment by the District Court today (July 23).
During a follow-up investigation into cases involving multiple Mainland residents suspected of using forged Hong Kong identity cards for illegal employment in Hong Kong by the Immigration Department (ImmD), it was suspected that the defendant, acting as a middleman, arranged illegal employment and provided forged Hong Kong identity cards. Through comprehensive investigation and intelligence analysis, investigators arrested the defendant and photos of forged Hong Kong identity cards were found in the defendant's mobile phone. The defendant admitted under caution that she had used social media platforms to solicit multiple Mainland residents to take up illegal employment in Hong Kong since 2024, and provided one-stop service that included providing forged Hong Kong identity cards and arranging accommodation for them in Hong Kong. The defendant charged each Mainland resident an intermediary fee ranging from several thousand Renminbi (RMB) to RMB10,000.
The defendant was subsequently charged with two counts of conspiracy to transfer a forged identity card and one count of conspiracy to make a false instrument. After trial, the defendant was convicted and sentenced to 32 months' imprisonment today.
Using the same tactic, the defendant provided a forged Hong Kong identity card and arranged another Mainland resident for illegal employment in Hong Kong earlier. In November 2024, the defendant was convicted of offences including transferring a forged identity card and sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment by the Shatin Magistrates' Courts.
Three illegal workers in the case were previously convicted of offences including breach of condition of stay, possession of false instruments, and possession of forged identity cards, and sentenced to 12 to 14 months' imprisonment. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
The ImmD spokesman said, "under the laws of Hong Kong, anyone who uses or possesses a forged identity card commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and 10 years' imprisonment. Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse transfers to another person an identity card commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and 10 years' imprisonment.Furthermore, it is an offence to make, possess or use false instruments. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment."
The spokesman warned, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment.
The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines stating that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In this connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation, with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Source: AI-found images
