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Smoker convicted for assaulting tobacco control inspector

1 December 2010

A 49-year-old man was today (December 1) convicted in the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court of assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI) and obstructing a public officer in a no smoking area.

The man was sentenced to 80 hours of community service each for assaulting a TCI and obstructing a public officer in the exercise of duty, executed concurrently.

The incident took place at an amusement game centre "Sun Kong Game Centre" on Lung Cheung Road, Wong Tai Sin on October 6 this year. The man assaulted the TCI during an inspection of the premises by a TCI team. He was subsequently arrested by the Police, and charged with assault and obstructing a public officer in the exercise of duty.

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

"Intimidation of, or use of violence on, enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences," he said.