Hong Kong Customs Launches Campaign Against Illicit Cigarettes in Sha Tin Public Housing Estates

2025-03-26 18:50 Last Updated At：18:58

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Sha Tin District

Hong Kong Customs conducted a joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaign with members of the Sha Tin District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health, the Police and the Housing Department (HD) at three public housing estates in Sha Tin District today (March 26).

Customs officers set up a promotional booth to distribute leaflets to residents at Shek Mun Estate, Lek Yuen Estate and Sun Chui Estate to raise their awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes, and encouraged them to report suspected illicit cigarette trading activities to Customs.

If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Moreover, Customs will continue to closely monitor the situation of illicit cigarette activities at control points and in the city, and flexibly deploy its resources to clamp down on the crime.

Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years. Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotion leaflets). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public may report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflets distribution to TACO's hotline 2961 8823.

Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank Expands Service for Premature Newborns, Collects 550 Litres from 160 Donors.

2025-03-30 10:00 Last Updated At：10:08

Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank commences second phase of service to distribute breast milk to clinically needy newborns

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (March 30) that the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank (HKBMB) has commenced the second phase of service to distribute donor breast milk to premature or critically ill newborns, thereby establishing a protective barrier for their health by providing adequate comprehensive nutrition and preventing infections and complications.

The Director of the HKBMB, Dr Rosanna Wong, stated, "Since its inception on January 6 this year, the HKBMB has been receiving positive feedback and support from society. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to dedicated mothers for registering as breast milk donors. As of March 28, over 160 mothers have successfully registered as breast milk donors, and the HKBMB has collected around 550 litres of breast milk."

Dr Wong elaborated that processed donor breast milk has been supplied to nine public hospitals with Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). NICU medical teams will prescribe donor breast milk based on the clinical condition of the newborns and will continuously monitor their conditions to adjust the necessary breast milk intake to ensure optimal nutrition.

The HKBMB aims to collect approximately 1 000 litres of breast milk each year, benefiting between 450 to 600 premature or critically ill newborns. Dr Wong emphasised that breast milk donors have to be currently lactating, and their babies have to be under 1 year old, therefore, continuous donor recruitment is crucial to maintain the ongoing service of the HKBMB. She urged members of the public to actively promote and support breastfeeding, and encouraged mothers to become breast milk donors to give the gift of life to newborns in need.

The HKBMB has set up a breast milk donation service counter on the ground floor lobby of Tower B of Hong Kong Children's Hospital, offering the latest information, counselling and breastfeeding support. The public can also visit the HKBMB website (www.ha.org.hk/hkch/hkbmb) for further details and to register as breast milk donors. Relevant pamphlets are also available at the Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics Departments in public hospitals, as well as Maternal and Child Health Centres under the Department of Health.