FEHD Staff Caught Smoking in Uniform Again, Second Incident in a Month
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
Videos have emerged showing a female Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) staff member smoking in a back staircase while wearing her uniform, marking the second such incident in Hong Kong within a month. The department confirmed the videos surfaced on September 1 and stated it has launched an investigation. A legislator criticized the staff for low awareness and called for improved internal training to prevent similar breaches.
Key Points
- Two videos, each about one minute long, show a ponytailed female FEHD staff member in white uniform smoking in a back staircase
- One video captures her smoking alone while leaning against the wall; another shows her chatting with what appears to be an outsourced cleaner in orange uniform
- This incident occurred around early to mid-August, before the previous similar incident that went viral on social media
- The earlier August incident involved at least three FEHD staff in uniform smoking and swearing in an alley; the department confirmed those were market management team staff from June 2026
- FEHD regulations clearly prohibit staff from smoking while in uniform and in public places, with any violations subject to disciplinary action
- Legislator Chan Hoi-yan (陳凱欣) stated that staff awareness is clearly low and such behavior damages the department's image and team morale
Why It Matters
As the department responsible for enforcing anti-smoking regulations and maintaining environmental hygiene in Hong Kong, FEHD staff wearing uniforms in public are expected to set a positive example for the community. This repeated violation of departmental rules not only undermines public trust in government enforcement but also raises questions about internal management and training effectiveness. The legislator's call for improved internal training highlights the need for the department to strengthen staff discipline and professional standards to restore its credibility.
As the department responsible for enforcing anti-smoking regulations and maintaining environmental hygiene in Hong Kong, FEHD staff wearing uniforms in public are expected to set a positive example for the community. This repeated violation of departmental rules not only undermines public trust in government enforcement but also raises questions about internal management and training effectiveness. The legislator's call for improved internal training highlights the need for the department to strengthen staff discipline and professional standards to restore its credibility.