DH continues to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas (with photos)
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During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at one bar in Mong Kok, and issued a total of 11 FPNs to persons illegally smoking waterpipes. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against the operators of the bar who are suspected of aiding and abetting the 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 engaged in an act of smoking 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.
"During the inspections conducted from January 2023 to March 2025, the DH issued a total of 305 fixed penalty notices for smoking waterpipe tobacco illegally in indoor no smoking areas, in addition to 170 summonses to the staff of the bar for aiding and abetting smoking in indoor no smoking areas. The DH will continue to closely monitor such activities and take stringent enforcement actions against smoking behaviors such as waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas, as well as the illegal sale and promotion of smoking products," said the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam.
Dr Lam 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.
He 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.
Ends/Friday, July 25, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:10
Issued at HKT 11:10
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