TACO of DH's frontline staff to use body-worn video cameras while performing duties (with photo)
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To effectively protect the public from the hazard of second-hand smoke and deter smoking violations, TACO regularly inspects all statutory no smoking areas to enforce the smoking ban. TACO has flexibly deployed resources and adopted new enforcement strategies since 2023, which include extending the time of surveillance and inspections in no smoking areas, deploying plain-clothes officers to take proactive enforcement actions, and will issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to smoking offenders without warning. The number of prosecutions against illegal smoking has surged due to the new enforcement strategies. The number of FPNs issued increased from 6 296 in 2022 to 10 261 in 2023 and 13 488 in 2024.
Starting tomorrow, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors (see photo) will wear body cameras while they are discharging their duties and will record on-site situations when necessary. Body cameras will be worn conspicuously by Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors in uniform and will be used in an open and transparent manner. If they encounter unexpected or conflicting incidents and consider it necessary to record the situations, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will, where reasonably practicable, notify the person(s) concerned of the body camera prior to the commencement of recording in order to safeguard the safety of the public and enforcement officers as well as to collect evidence. The body camera will display a blinking red light during recording to notify those involved that they are being recorded.
Making reference to the experience of relevant law enforcement departments in the use of body cameras, TACO has formulated clear enforcement guidelines and provided training for frontline staff. When handling relevant footage, TACO will ensure compliance with the regulations of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Footage that carries no investigative or evidential value, or constitutes no other legitimate purpose, will be deleted after 31 days from the date it was recorded to ensure that no excessive personal data is retained.
For details on access to the footage, please visit the TACO website.
Ends/Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:08
Issued at HKT 17:08
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