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TACO Conducts Pipepurge Operation, Issues Penalties for Illegal Waterpipe Smoking in Central Bar

HK

TACO Conducts Pipepurge Operation, Issues Penalties for Illegal Waterpipe Smoking in Central Bar
HK

HK

TACO Conducts Pipepurge Operation, Issues Penalties for Illegal Waterpipe Smoking in Central Bar

2025-03-15 11:20 Last Updated At:11:28

DH continues to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas

​The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) continued to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas by conducting another enforcement operation, codenamed "Pipepurge", in Central last night (March 14) and issued a total of two fixed penalty notices (FPNs).

During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at one bar in Central, and issued a total of two FPNs to persons illegally smoking waterpipes. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the bar who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences. TACO will also refer the cases to the Liquor Licensing Board for appropriate follow-up action.

Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. Any person doing a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.

In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.

"The DH will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement action against illegal waterpipe smoking. Last year (2024), TACO conducted 162 operations against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas. A total of 162 FPNs were issued against smoking offenders, while 89 summonses were issued to staff members and operators of the bars/restaurants for other related offences," the Head of TACO, Dr Fung Ying said.

Dr Fung reminded the public that waterpipe is a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; whereas exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.

She cautioned against waterpipe smoking and the use of other smoking products. Smokers should quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For more information on the hazards of waterpipe smoking, please visit www.livetobaccofree.hk/pdfs/waterpipe_leaflet_new.pdf.

DH continues to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH continues to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH continues to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH continues to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit in Beijing today (March 20).

Mr Tse visited the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in the morning and toured facilities such as the National Crop Genebank of China, greenhouse of the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, and the scientific research greenhouse to learn about the country's latest agro-technology developments.

In the afternoon, Mr Tse paid a courtesy call on the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) and met with the Vice Minister of the GACC, Mr Zhao Zenglian, to continue deepening exchanges on various topics such as safeguarding food supply to Hong Kong, the facilitation arrangement for exporting Hong Kong-manufactured food products to the Mainland, as well as strengthening co-operation on food trade.

During the meeting, Mr Tse expressed gratitude to the GACC for its support in safeguarding food supply to Hong Kong and its assistance in the implementation of the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance. He said that the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance, which began in May last year, has been operating smoothly and significantly shortened the time required for customs clearance of Hong Kong-manufactured food products. It was well-received by Hong Kong food manufacturing industry. Both sides expressed the hope that the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance could be applied to more food categories in the future.

Afterwards, Mr Tse met with representatives from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China (MEE), the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, and the BRI International Green Development Coalition to exchange views on topics including co-operation in ecological and environmental field and combating climate change. He pointed out that with the strong support from the MEE, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government achieved great success at the China Pavilion's Side Event of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) last year and hopes to continue telling the good stories to the world about the country and the HKSAR Government's efforts in combatting climate change through the platform provided by the COP30 this year.

Mr Tse will continue his visit in Beijing tomorrow (March 21).

SEE begins visit in Beijing  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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