DH continues to clamp down on illegal smoking in no smoking areas
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) continued to clamp down on illegal smoking in no smoking areas by conducting another enforcement operation, codenamed "Cloudcrush", in Tsim Sha Tsui last night (September 10) and issued a total of three fixed penalty notices (FPNs).
During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at bars in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui area, and issued a total of three FPNs to persons illegally smoking waterpipes and cigarette, as well as possessing an e-cigarette capsule. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the bars that are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences. TACO will also refer the cases to the Liquor Licensing Board for appropriate follow-up action.
Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Ordinance), conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. The Ordinance also prohibits the possession of specified alternative smoking products (ASPs) (including e-cigarette capsules, liquids, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes) in public places. Any person contravening the above provisions is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.
In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.
During the inspections conducted from January 2024 to date, the DH issued a total of over 300 fixed penalty notices for smoking waterpipe tobacco illegally in indoor no smoking areas, in addition to around 150 summonses to staff of the bars for aiding and abetting smoking in indoor no smoking areas.
"Members of the public must not try or continue consuming ASPs or waterpipes based on the misconception that these products contain less harmful substances. On the contrary, ASPs have been proven to emit numerous toxic substances that can lead to addiction, illness, or even death. A waterpipe is also a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning," said the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam.
He stressed that TACO will continue to closely monitor and rigorously enforce the law against illegal activities such as waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas, illegal sales and promotions of smoking products, as well as illegal imports of ASPs.
Dr Lam urged smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. Members of the public may call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, or visit TACO's website for information on smoking cessation.
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health continued to clamp down on illegal smoking in no smoking areas by conducting another enforcement operation, codenamed "Cloudcrush", in Tsim Sha Tsui last night (September 10) and issued a total of three fixed penalty notices. Photo shows a waterpipe seized by TACO officers during the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Health visits State Administration for Market Regulation and National Institutes for Drug Control in Beijing
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, led a delegation from the Department of Health (DH) to attend the thematic session on health and medical services at the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing at the invitation of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission. The delegation also called on various regulatory authorities to deepen exchanges and co-operation in health.
The DH delegation earlier paid a visit to the National Institutes for Drug Control (NIDC) and met with Deputy Director Ms Xu Miao. They also toured the NIDC's biological products laboratory, and exchanged views with the NIDC on topics covering the strengthening of testing of biological products, research of Chinese medicine (CM) standards and testing capabilities,as well as supporting the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute in enriching its collections, with a view to jointly promoting drug safety as well as the inheritance and innovation of CM.
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the NIDC for its longstanding professional guidance to, and close collaboration and exchanges with, the DH on drug and CM testing, etc. In accordance with the 2026 annual bilateral work plan between the DH and the National Medical Products Administration early this year, the NIDC organised a four-week training programme for professional officers from the DH and the Government Laboratory on biological product testing so that they can enhance technical capabilities by learning from each other to advance local testing work," said Dr Lam.
"Regarding CM, both the DH and the NIDC have been maintaining close collaborations, having signed a co-operation agreement on research for CM testing and standards in May 2024 to further advance collaborations in CM standards and testing technology innovations, and exchanges in talent and academic matters, to jointly promote the quality and safety of CM. The Outline of the National 15th Five-Year Plan has promulgated the advancement of the inheritance and innovation of CM to promote its global expansion. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will proactively integrate into and contribute to the overall national development, participate in building a 'Healthy China', to showcase the HKSAR's high-quality development in CM testing technologies, thereby supporting CM in going global."
Dr Lam today (September 11) met with Deputy Director-General of the Advertising Regulation Department of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) Ms Luo Lan and exchanged views on enhancing surveillance on cross-boundary medical and health-related online advertisements. Dr Lam said that with the growing demand for cross-boundary healthcare services, the volume of medical and health-related advertisements and information disseminated across borders has also been increasing. He expressed his gratitude to the SAMR for its support to the HKSAR in joining hands to builda "Healthy China". The meeting yielded substantial results. Both sides agreed to strengthen co-operation by establishing a point-to-point notification mechanism, enhancing information exchanges and professional training, and jointly cracking down on fraudulent and undesirable medical advertisements to reduce the risk of residents in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong being misled or defrauded, thereby firmly safeguarding the health and well-being of people in both places.
Dr Lam will conclude his visit to Beijing and return to Hong Kong today.
Director of Health visits State Administration for Market Regulation and National Institutes for Drug Control in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Health visits State Administration for Market Regulation and National Institutes for Drug Control in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Health visits State Administration for Market Regulation and National Institutes for Drug Control in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
