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TCO committed to enforcing smoking ban in statutory no smoking areas

28 January 2013

The Tobacco Control Office (TCO) of the Department of Health (DH) has been making tremendous efforts to implement and enforce the tobacco control legislation, particularly the smoking ban in statutory no smoking areas, said a spokesperson for the DH today (January 28).

Over the past weekend from January 25 to 27, Tobacco Control Inspectors (TCIs) of the TCO conducted a total of 152 inspections to statutory no smoking areas and issued 77 fixed penalty notices to smoking offenders. Some of the inspections were jointly conducted with the Mong Kok Police District.

In reviewing the enforcement actions in 2012, the spokesperson said, "A total of 26,209 inspections were conducted by TCIs while 8,019 fixed penalty notices and 179 summonses were issued to smoking offenders." The TCIs will continue to conduct inspections to statutory no smoking areas, such as amusement game centres, shopping malls, bars and restaurants, to enhance compliance with the smoking ban.

According to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap 371), no person shall smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe in statutory no smoking areas. Smoking of shisha or e-cigarettes in a no smoking area is also an offence. Offenders will be liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500.

The spokesperson urged members of the public to observe the smoking ban requirements and co-operate with law enforcement officers.

"Smoking is hazardous to health. We encourage smokers to quit smoking. The DH has run and subvented smoking cessation services through various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Pok Oi Hospital and the University of Hong Kong. For enquiries or appointments, the public may call the Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline of the DH on 1833 183," the spokesman added.