Customs said to be ready to enforce tobacco law

Macau Customs are ready to enforce the new legislation concerning tobacco taxes, the Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak announced yesterday. The changes were approved last week at the Legislative Assembly and will be implemented starting today. Under the new rules, taxes will be raised significantly to at least 70 percent of tobacco retail prices and visitors will only be allowed to carry 19 cigarettes when entering Macau.
According to Wong Sio Chak, Macau Customs are preparing a set of measures to safeguard the effective enforcement of the law, which will include random inspections for residents and tourists at the borders in order to avoid counterfeiting.
Separately, the secretary commented on a case of two policemen who were caught sleeping while on duty. The case was reported by citizens and a picture of two agents sleeping in a police car was uploaded to a social media website by the group Macau Concealers. Wong Sio Chak confirmed that the incidents did occur and that this places the image of the police force at stake, as well as that of the public security. He said that no negligent act will be permitted and that he gives “extreme relevance” to the case. A disciplinary inquiry to access responsibility has been initiated. PB