9 Nov 2010
A 44-year-old man was convicted by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court today (November 9) for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI), obstructing public officer and smoking in a no-smoking area.
The man was sentenced to two months' immediate imprisonment for assaulting the TCI and two months' imprisonment for obstructing a public officer, executed concurrently, and fined $1,500 for the smoking offence.
The incident took place in an Amusement Games Centre (AGC) called "New World Amusement Centre" in Tai Po Road, Sham Shui Po on February 20, 2010. The man assaulted a TCI when a team of inspectors was inspecting the games centre. He was subsequently arrested and charged with assault, obstructing public officer and smoking in a no-smoking area by the Police.
A spokesman for the Department of Health urged the public to observe smoking ban requirements and to cooperate with law-enforcement officers.
"Intimidation or use of violence on enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences," he said.