Press Release

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Sha Tin District (with photos)

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.

Ends/Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Hong Kong Customs conducted a joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaign with members of the Sha Tin District Council and government departments today (March 26). Photo shows officers from Customs, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health and the Housing Department, as well as members of the Sha Tin District Council.

Hong Kong Customs conducted a joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaign with members of the Sha Tin District Council and government departments today (March 26). Photo shows officers from Customs, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, the Police and the Housing Department, as well as members of the Sha Tin District Council.

Hong Kong Customs conducted a joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaign with members of the Sha Tin District Council and government departments today (March 26). Photo shows officers from Customs, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, the Police and the Housing Department, as well as members of the Sha Tin District Council.

Hong Kong Customs conducted a joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaign with members of the Sha Tin District Council and government departments today (March 26). Photo shows Customs officers explaining anti-illicit cigarette messages to a resident.