Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Adrian Ho and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (February 4):
Question:
(1) given that while the statutory no smoking areas have been extended to public places that lie within three metres from access points of specified premises after the legislative amendment exercise, there are views that in order to balance various needs and accommodate the hosting of cultural and sports mega events, the Government should establish designated smoking areas in public places and step up enforcement during specific periods (e.g. during mega events) to enhance public experience and safety, whether the Government will study the relevant proposals;
(2) One key focus of the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (Amendment Ordinance), passed by the LegCo last year, is to combat illicit cigarettes. Mainly enforced by the C&ED in accordance with the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), the relevant penalties have already been increased to a fine of $2 million and seven years’ imprisonment immediately following the Amendment Ordinance’s gazettal on September 19 last year. The Amendment Ordinance also stipulates that any cigarettes sold below the tobacco duty rate must be proved to be duty-paid, failing which they shall be presumed to be duty-unpaid. Officers of the C&ED have launched multiple special operations by conducting surprise inspections at cigarette retail outlets across various districts across the territory, uncovering a number of illegal sales points selling cigarettes below the tobacco duty rate.