TACO Launches Laserflame Operation, Issues 106 Penalties for Illegal Smoking in Hong Kong Transit Areas

DH's enforcement operation "Laserflame" against illegal smoking in statutory no-smoking areas of public transport facilities and bus interchanges

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) conducted an enforcement operation codenamed "Laserflame" between October 29 and today (October 31) against illegal smoking in statutory no-smoking areas of public transport facilities and bus interchanges across the territory. Officers also publicised the relevant smoking ban regulations to members of the public.

During the operation, officers conducted 307 inspections and issued fixed penalty notices to 106 persons caught smoking illegally. Officers also publicised the relevant smoking ban regulations to members of the public.

There are currently 260 public transportation facilities and 14 bus interchanges designated as no-smoking areas in Hong Kong. The no-smoking areas are clearly marked with visible no-smoking signage. The boundaries of the no-smoking areas are also delineated in a clear manner based on the actual physical environment to remind the public to comply with the smoking prohibition. The plans depicting the boundaries of the no-smoking areas have been uploaded to the TACO website for public reference.

From January 2021 to September 2024, TACO has conducted over 18 300 inspections at public transportation facilities and bus interchanges regarding smoking offences, and issued more than 8 000 fixed penalty notices/summons.

"To protect public health, it is the established policy of the Government to discourage smoking, contain the proliferation of tobacco use and protect the public from second-hand smoke. Strengthening inspections and enforcement in public transportation facilities aims to further protect the public from the harm of second-hand smoke," a spokesman for the DH said.

Any person who does a smoking act in no-smoking areas or in public transport carriers will be liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will prosecute smoking offenders without prior warning.

"We appeal to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. They are encouraged to call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183. The hotline is operated by registered nurses, providing professional counselling services on smoking cessation," the spokesman said.

DH's enforcement operation "Laserflame" against illegal smoking in statutory no-smoking areas of public transport facilities and bus interchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH's enforcement operation "Laserflame" against illegal smoking in statutory no-smoking areas of public transport facilities and bus interchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKMoA's large outdoor art installation takes visitors through whimsical snuff bottle maze

The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) launched the new exhibition "Hong Kong Artist Dialogue Series: Beyond Delight" at the Art Square in the museum's forecourt, showcasing a large-scale public art installation, "Wandering through Snuff Bottles", collaborated by local art group STICKYLINE (Mic Leong and Soilworm Lai) and artist Cynthia Mak.

A snuff bottle is an exquisite miniature piece of craftsmanship, each uniquely designed and intricately carved with its own story hidden in its small world. Inspired by the HKMoA's "Art of Gifting: The Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles" exhibition, the art group extracted forms and visual elements found in traditional Chinese snuff bottles and revitalised the concept with exquisitely lifelike animal-inspired designs of snuff bottles. By reinterpreting snuff bottles in a contemporary visual art language, a colourful snuff bottle maze was created. Visitors can enjoy a unique artistic experience by navigating and exploring passageways, corridors and arches in the maze. The artistic team's creative reimagining presents other perspectives of snuff bottles, bringing visitors into a whimsical space and inspiring an endless realm of imagination.

The Art Square presentation realises the idea of a wall-less exhibition, extending the indoor exhibition gallery into an open public space. It also allows artists to draw inspiration from the rich collections of the HKMoA to create a unique and delightful artistic dialogue.

The exhibition is being staged at the Art Square in the forecourt of the HKMoA (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/beyond-delight.html or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.

HKMoA's large outdoor art installation takes visitors through whimsical snuff bottle maze Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKMoA's large outdoor art installation takes visitors through whimsical snuff bottle maze Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKMoA's large outdoor art installation takes visitors through whimsical snuff bottle maze Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases