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A 54-year-old man was fined $2,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court today (December 3) for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI). The man was also fined $5,000 and $1,000 respectively for failing to produce proof of identity and a smoking offence.
The incident took place at a restaurant in Mong Kok on September 6. The man assaulted a TCI when a team of inspectors was examining the premises. He was subsequently arrested and charged by the Police.
A spokesman for the Department of Health urged the public to observe the smoking ban requirements and to co-operate with law enforcement officers.
"Intimidation or use of violence on enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences," the spokesman said.
As of December 2, there have been 11 cases of assaulting TCIs in 2012. From January 2007 to December 3, 2012, eight out of 34 offenders convicted of assault of TCIs were sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months.
Ends/Monday, December 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:51
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