Macau’s Health Bureau has promised to “strictly enforce” its new smoking laws inside Macau’s casinos after revealing details of its plans to work alongside the local regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), to monitor casino operations.
The Health Bureau said on Tuesday that enforcement of the smoking laws – aimed primarily at protecting the health of Macau’s casino employees – will be jointly handled by the two government agencies, with the DICJ to arrange staff to be stationed at various Macau casinos 24 hours a day. The agencies will also conduct joint assault tobacco control inspections “to ensure the effectiveness of law enforcement and the suppression of illegal smoking,” the Health Bureau said.
Macau introduced its New Tobacco Control Act from 1 January 2018, extending non-smoking areas across the city including a ban on smoking in the VIP areas of casinos. However, casino operators have until 1 January 2019 before they must fully implement the ban, at which time smoking will only be allowed inside specially ventilated smoking rooms.
According to the Health Bureau, comments compiled via public consultation earlier this week included a number of recommendations to curb illegal smoking on casino floors including a blacklist for those caught smoking and a fine of 15,000 yuan for casinos that do not perform their duties as venue managers.
“The Health Bureau will, as always, strictly enforce the law and will review the implementation of various tobacco control efforts in a timely manner,” it said.
“At the same time, it will continue to enhance public awareness of the smoking hazards and gradually reduce the smoking rate in Macau and safeguard the health of the public.”
