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A 38-year-old man was sentenced at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts to six weeks' immediate imprisonment today (September 30) for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI).
The incident took place at an Internet cafe in Sham Shui Po on December 18, 2012. The man assaulted a TCI when a team of inspectors was inspecting 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 today, there have been six cases of assault in 2013. Since 2007, 53 cases have been recorded and 11 out of 42 offenders convicted for assaulting TCIs were sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months.
Ends/Monday, September 30, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:55
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