SJ to lead cross-professional delegation to Xinjiang, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will lead a cross-professional delegation comprising members of Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution sectors, as well as the financial and accounting sectors, to Xinjiang, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, tomorrow (August 23) to strengthen the exchange and co-operation among the legal and professional service sectors of Hong Kong and the three places, and to promote Hong Kong's advantage of connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world and the strength of its professional services.
Members of the delegation include the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, and around 40 representatives from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Invest Hong Kong, the Financial Services Development Council, the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, as well as local and international law firms and other related sectors.
On August 24, Mr Lam will attend the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Common Law and Dispute Resolution Practical Training Course organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy in Urumqi, Xinjiang. He will also meet with the local officials.
The visit to Central Asia is co-organised with the HKTDC. During the delegation's visit in Almaty, Kazakhstan from August 25 to 26, they will attend the "Collaborate2Win" seminar co-organised by the HKTDC and the Department of Justice, and exchange with local legal and business representatives. Afterwards, the delegation will depart for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to meet with local officials and learn about the development of the local legal services industry.
Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on August 30. During Mr Lam's absence, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will be the Acting Secretary for Justice.
Source: AI-found images
Man sentenced to six months' imprisonment for illegally importing alternative smoking products
A man was sentenced today (August 22) at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts to six months' imprisonment for illegally importing 33 800 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 Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH was notified by Hong Kong Customs on August 20 that 33 800 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 29 cases involving the importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Thirty-one persons have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four weeks to eight 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, or visitwww.livetobaccofree.hkfor information on quitting.
Source: AI-found images
