The number of seizures involving smuggled cigarettes has soared 127 per cent in Hong Kong since the government increased the tobacco tax by 50 per cent in its February budget, a news report said Friday. A total of 287 cases of smuggling, distribution, selling and storing of illegal cigarettes were detected in March, compared with 126 in March 2008, the South China Morning Post said. However, in a statement, the Customs and Excise Department attributed the rise to stronger enforcement measures introduced because it anticipated a rise in smuggling because of the increased duty. The head of the Revenue and General Investigation Bureau, Chow Chi-kwong, said the department had been closely monitoring illicit cigarette activities at all control points and on the streets after the levying of the new tobacco duty. In a series of recent … Read entire article »

Are teenagers studying at schools in the city increasingly succumbing to smocking these days? The police action against illegal sale of tobacco near many schools indicates towards this worrying trend. On the World No Smoking Day on Monday, the police found business of tobacco products sale near schools flourishing for many people. In a crackdown on the illegal sale of tobacco products near public places especially schools and hospitals in Jaipur district, 66 people were arrested by the police when the World No Smoking Day was being celebrated on Monday. The police seized tobacco items from these people. According to police, special teams were constituted to put a check on the sale of tobacco products. “It was seen that tobacco was being sold at pushcarts and places after encroaching on public land … Read entire article »