Hong Kong Customs conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities with several members of the Tuen Mun District Council and government departments for two consecutive days (January 21 and 22), bringing anti-illicit cigarette messages to members of the public.
On January 21 and 22, Customs collaborated with several Tuen Mun District Council members, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, the Police and the Housing Department to conduct an interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette campaign in Butterfly Estate, Wu King Estate, Wo Tin Estate, Yan Tin Estate, On Ting Estate and Yau Oi Estate in Tuen Mun.
During the event, in addition to patrolling the housing estates, Customs officers also set up a promotional booth to distribute leaflets and explain anti-illicit cigarette messages to residents, and encouraged them to report suspected illicit cigarette trading activities to Customs.
Customs reminds young people, especially students, not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette flyers, to avoid creating a criminal record that affects their future.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities through risk assessment, intelligence analysis and interception at source. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the Housing Department for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings.
Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotion leaflets). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000.
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Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
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