Last updated: August 8, 2022
Penalties
Advertising and Promotion
Any public officer authorized to be an inspector by the Secretary of Food and Health
For violations of advertising provisions, Sec. 15 of the Smoking Ordinance provides for “a fine at level 5 and, in the case of a continuing offense, to a further penalty of $1500 for each day during which the offense continues.” For violations of promotion provisions, Sec. 15C of the Smoking Ordinance provides for “a fine at level 4.”
Section 14A of the Smoking Ordinance provides for corrective action, which includes seizure and disposal of the advertisement.
To align with Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should also provide for cumulative or greater penalties for repeat offenses, and license suspension or revocation where appropriate.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship is permitted under the Smoking Ordinance. Although sponsors are prohibited from advertising their sponsorship with the use of the words specified words (e.g., “cigarette,” “smoking,” “tobacco,” “cigar,” or “pipe”), there is no fine correlated with violation of this provision.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should ban tobacco sponsorship and provide appropriate penalties.
