New law: Visitors to Hong Kong can only bring 19 smokes

New Hong Kong tobacco regulations state incoming passengers aged 18 years and older will be allowed to carry at most 19 cigarettes starting on Aug. 1, according to a recent announcement by Hong Kong's Customs and Excise Department.

The department hopes that citizens and incoming passengers will cooperate with customs officers in implementing the measure.

A spokesperson for the Customs and Excise Department said on July 27 in order to step up tobacco control, encourage smoking cessation and to protect public health, the Dutiable Commodities (Exempted Quantities) (Amendment) Notice 2010 stipulates that an incoming passenger 18 years-old and above is entitled to bring only 19 cigarettes, one cigar, or no more than 25 grams of cigar or other manufactured tobacco into Hong Kong. The new regulations will take effect on Aug. 1, 2010.

According to the notice, those who violate the regulations will face a maximum fine of 1 million Hong Kong dollars and imprisonment for two years.

By People's Daily Online

http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2010-07/29/nw.D110000renmrb_20100729_4-15.htm?div=-1