A 60-year-old man was sentenced to two weeks' imprisonment suspended for one year at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (June 13) for assaulting three Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors (TACIs) in the exercise of their duties. He was also fined $1,800 for a smoking offence. 

     The incident took place at Tin Yan Shopping Centre in Tin Shui Wai on March 25, 2019. The man assaulted three TACIs when he was being issued a Fixed Penalty Notice by the TACIs for a smoking offence. 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.

     "Threatening 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 three cases of assaulting TACIs in 2019. Since 2007, 89 cases have been recorded and 21 out of 75 offenders convicted for assaulting TACIs were sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months.

Ends/Thursday, June 13, 2019
Issued at HKT 18:30

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