Press Release

Man sentenced for assaulting tobacco control inspector

19 March 2015

A 59-year-old man was sentenced to four days' imprisonment suspended for two years and fined $5,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (March 19) for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI). He was also fined $3,000 and $1,000 for a smoking offence and willfully obstructing a public officer in the exercise of his duty respectively.

The incident took place at a restaurant at King Lam Estate in Tseung Kwan O on February 9, 2015. 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 two cases of assaulting TCIs in 2015. Since 2007, 64 cases have been recorded and 14 out of 57 offenders convicted for assaulting TCIs were sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months.