Man sentenced for assaulting Tobacco Control Inspector

     A 26-year-old man was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (October 26) for assaulting and obstructing a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI) in the exercise of his duties. He was also fined $1,500 earlier for a smoking offence.
 
     The incident took place at a building in North Point on May 4, 2018. The man assaulted the TCI as a team of inspectors was inspecting the venue.  He was subsequently arrested and charged by the Police.

     A spokesman for the Department of Health urged the public to observe the smoking ban requirements and to co-operate with law enforcement officers.

     "Threatening or use of violence on enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences," the spokesman said.

     As of today, there have been five cases of assaulting TCIs in 2018.  Since 2007, 86 cases have been recorded and 20 out of 73 offenders convicted for assaulting TCIs were sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months.