HK to go digital with fixed penalty issuance for tobacco and alcohol offences

The government will begin using smart tools to issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) from Thursday, aiming to streamline procedures, enhance data accuracy, and boost enforcement efficiency.

The initiative, announced by the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO), will replace the manual process of recording offenders’ personal details on printed FPNs and in the backend system.

Under the new system, TACO officers will be able to scan offenders’ Hong Kong identity (HKID) cards electronically. The system will instantly import personal details such as the offender’s name and HKID number into the FPN.

It will also automatically record the time, location, and details of the enforcement officers. The officers can then print the FPNs on the spot using portable printers and issue them directly to offenders.

All data will be automatically synchronised with the backend system, significantly reducing processing time and back-office manpower while improving overall operational efficiency.

The authorities stressed that neither TACO officers nor the relevant mobile application will store any images of offenders’ HKID cards. The personal data collected during enforcement will remain identical to that recorded under the current manual system.