The Tobacco & Alcohol Control Office (TACO) today said it has issued notices to two online platforms requiring them to cease any activities that may contravene the statutory prohibition on tobacco advertising, in following up a complaint.
The notices were issued following the TACO’s investigation into a a public complaint claiming that an animation containing tobacco advertisements was posted on the two online platforms concerned.
The TACO, operating under the Department of Health, stressed that the animation in question does far more than depicting a character smoking. It repeatedly, continuously and prominently displays cigarette packs and tobacco products from multiple angles.
Such depictions are suspected to involve product placement and dissemination of tobacco advertisements, in breach of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance, the office added.
From 2022 to 2025, the TACO received approximately 1,100 to 4,600 complaints or referrals each year concerning smoking product advertisements. It issued a total of 180 summonses and 45 warning letters for suspected violations during the same period.
