Complaints against illicit cigarettes dropped 34% compared to last year due to the Customs & Excise Department's stepped-up efforts, says Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Prof KC Chan.

In response to a legislator’s question today, he said the department aims to combat illicit cigarettes at source, to reduce their inflow into the city and safeguard Government revenue.

Customs seized $110 million worth of illicit cigarettes in 2012, up from $57 million in 2010, he noted, and said such activities appear to have become less rampant.

Illicit cigarette trading black spots have been largely suppressed, he said, as the department continues to combat storage, distribution and selling. 

Customs has established a 26-officer unit to conduct intelligence analysis and enforcement action against illicit cigarettes' telephone and online sales, he said, and the department also conducts random checks at control points.

He added the department will continue to conduct publicity programmes and campaigns against illicit cigarette trading.