Hong Kong Customs Reports Surge in Illegal Cigarette Cases

Feb.21

Hong Kong customs and excise department handled over 31,200 cases in 2024, with 68% related to illegal cigarettes.

According to The Standard on February 18th, the customs and excise department in Hong Kong processed over 31,200 cases in 2024, with 68% related to illegal cigarettes. The department recorded approximately 21,000 tobacco smuggling cases, an 80% increase from 2023, and seized around 640 million illegal cigarettes.

The Chief Customs and Excise Officer, Chen Zida, stated that this increase is significant, as the number of cases intercepted by customs is almost twice the number of previous cases involving visitors carrying excessive tax-free cigarettes. Zida attributed this trend to the increase in tobacco taxes, noting, "It cannot be denied that this growth provides an incentive for incoming travelers to risk carrying excessive tax-free tobacco products.

In these cases, there were 19 involving "space oil" containing dependencies of propofol. Small amounts of "space oil" were mainly found among incoming and outgoing passengers, especially those carrying e-cigarettes.

References:

[1] Surge in Customs cases: Illicit cigarette smuggling takes center stage

Also Read:

[1] Hong Kong to Ban E-Cigarettes in Public Places by 2026

[2] Hong Kong Smoking and Health Committee Urges Ban on Flavored Cigarettes

[3] Hong Kong Health Authority Warns E-Cigarettes Becoming New Tool for Drug Abuse

[4] Impact of Proposed Ban on Flavored Tobacco in Hong Kong

[5] Controversy over E-cigarette Ban: Impact on Hong Kong Tourism

[6] Hong Kong to Announces Tobacco Control Rules Focusing on Smoking in Queues

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