The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal air pollution levels since this morning (July 15). According to EPD's forecast, it is expected that the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at some air quality monitoring stations may reach the "Very High" or "Serious" level later today.
      
     Under the influence of the outer subsiding air of the tropical cyclone near Luzon, the weather in Hong Kong today is generally fine and extremely hot. Light wind is unfavorable for pollutant dispersion. The intense sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity leading to rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. The high ozone level also promotes the formation of nitrogen dioxide.
      
     According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the tropical cyclone will intensify gradually in the next couple of days, bringing squally showers and thunderstorms. It is expected that air quality levels will improve by then.
      
     With a health risk category in the "Very High" range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.
         
     The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB website for appropriate measures to safeguard students' health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows: www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html .
         
     When AQHI is at the "Very High" level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees, such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the "Serious" level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
         
     Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD's website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 15) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (July 15):
 
Reporter: Can you provide more details about the real time adjustment that aims to ensure that the cigarette tax can be remained at 75 per cent of the price? And also, you had just mentioned that every cigarette should have a label to signify whether it is taxed, can you also elaborate further how this can be implemented and enforced? 
 
Secretary for Health: The World Health Organization recommended a tobacco taxation rate at at least 75 per cent of the retail price. At present, the tax proportion of the retail price is only about 64 per cent. We actually increased the tobacco tax by 31 per cent earlier this year. But unfortunately, the tobacco industry also increased the price, so that would significantly reduce the impact of our increase in the tobacco tax. And that is why the tax proportion of the retail price increased only marginally from 62 per cent to 64 per cent. So in future, we would like to seek public opinion on whether we should have a scheme to ensure that if we increase the tax rate, and even at the same time, the tobacco industry increases the price, we would ensure that the proportion of the tax related to the retail price would remain the same. If so, we will have an automatic mechanism to make sure that we follow the percentage and of course the final target is to make sure that the tax would account for 75 per cent of the retail price.
 
     On your second question about how to give a mark or laser marker on the cigarettes which have already been taxed, this has been implemented in some countries. Some would put it on the box, some would even put it on individual cigarettes. This can be done and the advantage is that we can easily identify which one has already been taxed, which ones are illicit cigarettes. So we are considering this option, and in future this will help us to identify which are illegally imported cigarettes or tobacco products and help our retailers to identify which are the legal ones and which are the illegal ones. And even our consumers, the smokers, they would know which are the legal ones and illegal ones. That would certainly help us to fight against all these illegally imported tobacco products.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 15) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     From July 8 to 15, "Customs YES" organised an eight-day Silk Road summer cultural study tour. Led by the Honorary Founding Executive Director of the Executive Committee of "Customs YES", Mr Edgar Kwan, the Group Head of the Intellectual Property Investigation (Administration and Support) Group of Customs, Ms Michelle Lee, and a number of executive committees, 50 "Customs YES" members visited Xian and Dunhuang to learn about the role of the Silk Road in the country's development of external transport, trade, and culture, and experience the civilisation, development, and achievements of the country.

     The study tour on the first day arrived at the starting point of the Silk Road – Xian. Through exploring the historical sites and street culture of the city, including the Xi'an City Wall, the Daci'en Temple and Qujiangchi Relic Site Park, and the Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square, the tour gained an understanding about the transitions and inheritances of ancient and modern Xian.

     On July 10, the study tour was led by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, Mr Li Qun; and the Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Intelligence and Investigation), Mr Mark Woo, to visit the Shaanxi Archaeological Museum. Ms Ho, Mr Li and the participants took part in a Qin terracotta figures restoration workshop during which they experienced the complex process of restoring cultural heritage. The group realised the spirit of cultural heritage conservation and inheritance of the country, and were deeply impressed by the long-standing and profound Chinese civilisation. Ms Ho also encouraged the participants to make the most of this rare learning opportunity to understand the rich history and culture of the country, and to meaningfully participate in various activities of the tour by listening and asking more.

     Later, the study tour headed to Dunhuang along the Hexi Corridor and visited Mount Mingshashan and Crescent Moon-shaped Spring, the Mogao Caves, the Jiayu Pass Gatetowers, the Danxia National Geopark, etc. The participants not only appreciated the Dunhuang murals at close range, but also enjoyed the magnificent desert scenery on the backs of camels. All these allowed them to understand the broad and profound Chinese culture and history. 

     The study tour later returned to Xian and visited the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum led by the Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Control and Enforcement), Mr Chan Tsz-tat. The various valuable artefacts there offered an unforgettable history lesson to the participants. Lastly, the tour visited Xi'an Jiaotong University, where group members interacted with members of the university's robot team, who shared their experiences in different international competitions and encouraged tour members to fully equip themselves to meet the challenges ahead.

     In the future, "Customs YES" will organise more exchange activities in order to broaden the horizons of young people, deepen their understanding of the latest development and opportunities of the country, and strengthen their sense of national identity and national pride.