Hong Kong – DH’s proactive inspection against illegal sale of alternative smoking products (with photos)
DH’s proactive inspection against illegal sale of alternative smoking products (with photos)
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The Department of Health (DH) today (April 30) said that its Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) will make tremendous efforts to implement and enforce the new legislation on alternative smoking products (ASPs).
The Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 comes into operation today. The Ordinance prohibits the import, promotion, manufacture, sale, and possession for commercial purposes of ASPs. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
A spokesman for the DH said that Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors have visited over 230 retail outlets of ASPs before the effective date of the Ordinance, in which a few of them were found selling ASPs. The staff of the shops were reminded that the sale of ASPs is prohibited under the new legislation and urged to comply with the law. Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors conducted inspections today to these premises. So far, no violation was detected.
“The ban covers electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products, herbal cigarettes, and their accessories. Starting today, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will investigate complaints and carry out enforcement actions accordingly. Apart from inspections, the TACO will also arrange covert operation, and joint operation with other law enforcement units,” the spokesman continued.
According to the Ordinance, import of an ASP by way of parcels, cargoes, or bringing in by incoming travellers is prohibited. Articles carried by persons in transit at the Hong Kong International Airport without passing through immigration control, air transhipment cargoes, or articles staying on an aircraft or in a vessel during transit, are exempted. The DH will work closely with the Customs and Excise Department to guard against illegal import of ASPs.
Moreover, under the Ordinance, no person may smoke or carry an activated ASP in a statutory no smoking area. Offenders will be issued with a $1,500 fixed penalty notice. From January 2021 to March 2022, 166 fixed penalty notices/summonses were issued to persons who smoke ASPs in statutory no smoking areas. Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will continue to conduct inspections in statutory no smoking areas to ensure compliance with the smoking ban.
The new legislation aims to prevent access to these harmful and new smoking products. The DH reminds members of the public and stakeholders to comply with the new law. The public is also urged to adopt a smoke-free healthy lifestyle. Members of the public, incoming travellers and the traders can visit the TACO website (www.taco.gov.hk) to learn more about the provisions of the new legislation. For enquiries or complaints, please call the TACO’s hotline 2961 8823 or 1823.
SFH expresses gratitude to Mainland team for supporting slaughterhouse operation in Hong Kong (with photos/video)
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Four 4th-Year cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada travelling in a single vehicle lost their lives when their car entered the waters on campus at Point Frederick on Friday April 29, 2022 at approximately 2 a.m. ET. April 29, 2022 – Kingston – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Four 4th-Year cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada travelling in a single vehicle lost their lives when their car entered the waters on campus at Point Frederick on Friday April 29, 2022 at approximately 2 a.m. ET. The members who lost their lives are: Officer Cadet Jack Hogarth RMC’s first priority is to ensure our students, staff, faculty, and families are cared for and supported. This loss is felt across the RMC community and we extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of our fallen cadets during this difficult time. If anyone is struggling with this tragic incident, they are encouraged to reach out for support or available services at RMC and CFB Kingston. An investigation into this incident by Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is ongoing. No further information about the incident will be provided until the investigation is complete. “I am heartbroken that four officer cadets lost their lives far too soon at RMC Kingston this morning. I offer my deepest condolences to their families, classmates and loved ones as they grieve such a profound loss, which is felt across our Canadian Armed Forces and country.” The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence “I am devastated by today’s loss of four of our nation’s young leaders. My heart breaks for their families, friends, and all those touched by this deep loss, during this most difficult time. The entire Canadian Armed Forces family grieves with their loved ones and will support them in any way that they need during the challenging and emotional days ahead.” General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff “Today, we lost four promising young officers, who were just a few weeks away from convocation and commissioning in the Canadian Armed Forces. I offer my heartfelt condolences to their family, friends and colleagues and mourn their tragic loss.” Major-General Lise Bourgon, Acting Commander Military Personnel Command “The entire RMC Community is devastated by the tragic loss of four officer cadets earlier today. The Principal of RMC and I extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones, and we stand to support all our Naval and Officer Cadets, their families and friends, and our personnel, as we go through this difficult time together.” Commodore Josée Kurtz, Commandant RMC Department of National Defence Building on last year’s successful moderate livelihood fishery, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has reached a second interim understanding with Potlotek First Nation that will see their members fishing jakej (lobster) in pursuit of a moderate livelihood and selling their catch under Potlotek’s Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries Plan and a DFO-issued authorization. The plan was developed by the community with support from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO). April 29, 2022 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia – Building on last year’s successful moderate livelihood fishery, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has reached a second interim understanding with Potlotek First Nation that will see their members fishing jakej (lobster) in pursuit of a moderate livelihood and selling their catch under Potlotek’s Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries Plan and a DFO-issued authorization. The plan was developed by the community with support from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO). Harvesters designated under Potlotek’s Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries Plan will fish a total of 1,200 traps during the established 2022 commercial seasons distributed across Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31A – all of which are within the Unama’ki District where Potlotek is located. To enable fishing in pursuit of a moderate livelihood without increasing overall effort in these LFAs, the Department remains committed to continuing to work with the commercial industry to ensure that effort is aligned with available access. The preferred approach to obtaining access is through the willing buyer – willing seller voluntary licence relinquishment process. “The interim understanding reached with Potlotek First Nation last year was the first of its kind. This understanding saw members of the community fishing in pursuit of a moderate livelihood under a community-developed plan and DFO authorization. The success of that collaborative approach set the stage for understandings with other Mi’kmaw communities. I am pleased that the original understanding will be renewed this year to support the implementation of rights-based fishing for Potlotek and other First Nations.” The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard “I’d like to congratulate Chief Wilbert Marshall for his leadership, and I wish Potlotek First Nation, and all harvesters, a prosperous and safe fishing season. I look forward to our continued work together on oceans protection, safety on the water, conservation, and the preservation of the industry for generations to come.” Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, MP Cape Breton—Canso Claire Teichman Burnaby, British Columbia, April 29, 2022 – The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will provide details on funding that helps local businesses enhance Canada’s competitiveness in clean technology and support the transition to a green economy. The event will begin with a tour followed by a funding announcement. Minister Sajjan will be available to answer questions from the media following the funding announcement. Event: Date: Time: Location: IMPORTANT: Anyone attending the news conference in person must not present any symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 and must not have been in contact with anyone who has received a positive diagnosis within the last 14 days. Facemasks must be worn and all public health guidelines must be respected at all times.
Hong Kong – SFH expresses gratitude to Mainland team for supporting slaughterhouse operation in Hong Kong (with photos/video)
The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, joined by Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr He Jing and Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Miss Diane Wong, at the Shenzhen Bay Port today (April 30), saw off some members of the Mainland professional and skilled butchery personnel deployed to Hong Kong earlier to assist in the operation of the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse (SSSH).
In view of the manpower shortage at the SSSH due to the severity of the fifth wave of the epidemic earlier, a team of 38 personnel was deployed from the Mainland, and arrived in Hong Kong on March 2 to assist in the operation of the SSSH, with a view to stabilising the supply of fresh meat in Hong Kong. Members of the team have been subject to closed-loop management during their stay to minimise the infection risk.
“We thank the Central Government for the staunch support to Hong Kong in fighting the epidemic, and for their proactive facilitation in stabilising the supply of fresh produce in Hong Kong. We are particularly grateful for the assistance of the team over the past two months. With their support, the SSSH has been operating smoothly and the supply of fresh meat is now plentiful,” Professor Chan said.
Twenty-four members of the team departed Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Bay Port today. The remaining 14 members will continue to stay in Hong Kong to assist in the operation of the SSSH.
Canada – Four cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada lose their lives on campus
Officer Cadet Andrei Honciu
Officer Cadet Broden Murphy
Officer Cadet Andrés Salek
Media Relations Office
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.caCanada – Renewal of interim understanding reached that will see Potlotek First Nation members fishing in pursuit of a moderate livelihood
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
604-679-5462
Claire.Teichman@dfo-mpo.gc.caCanada – Government of Canada to announce funding that supports the growing clean tech ecosystem in British Columbia
Minister Sajjan to deliver remarks and announce details on funding that supports the clean tech ecosystem in British Columbia
Monday, May 2, 2022
8:30 a.m. PT
2880 Production Way
Burnaby, BC
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