Any Macau casinos found to be operating illegal or unapproved smoking rooms after 1 January 2019 face a fine of MOP$200,000 and forced closure of the room.
News of the impending punishment formed part of an announcement by Macau’s Health Bureau late last week in which it outlined its timeline for operators either filing late smoking lounge applications or with missing or incorrect information. The government introduced the New Tobacco Control Act from 1 January this year, extending non-smoking areas across the city including a ban on smoking in the VIP areas of casinos. However, casino operators have 12 months 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, just 27 of Macau’s 47 gaming establishments submitted applications for a total of 404 smoking lounges before the 28 September 2018 deadline. So far a mere 12 rooms inside three casinos have been approved.
In its announcement, the Health Bureau said it will continue to accept applications for smoking rooms but that they “will be strictly handled according to the established procedures.”
“For applications where the casino submitted [an application] on or before 28 September, the Health Department will review it according to established procedures,” it added.
“If the information submitted is accurate and meets the statutory requirements, the smoking rooms of the entertainment establishment can be licensed and used on or before 1 January 2019 upon consultation with the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) and the Fire Services Bureau, and through cross-departmental joint inspection.
“The Health Bureau stresses that if the applicant submits a document that is missing, incorrect or does not meet the statutory requirements, fails to complete the advice of Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau or the Fire Services Bureau, departmental joint inspectors may delay the approval process.”
The Health Bureau added that licensed smoking rooms will all be issued with a permit and permit number which will be published for public identification. Those found to be operating smoking rooms without a permit will have their rooms shut down and the MOP$200,000 fine issued.
The Health Bureau revealed last month that enforcement of the new smoking laws – aimed primarily at protecting the health of Macau’s casino employees – will be jointly handled alongside the DICJ, with the latter 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.”
