‘NO SMOKING’ | Gov’t to propose full ban in casinos, including VIP rooms

The Health Bureau (SSM) is aiming to introduce a full smoking ban in casinos. This would mean that that smoking would be prohibited not only on mass gaming floors, but also within VIP rooms. Current smoking lounges would also be forced to close if the bill is approved.
The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, announced yesterday that SSM is working on revising the Tobacco Prevention and Control Law, and will suggest the implementation of a full smoking ban in the city’s casinos.
He added that SSM is hoping to finish revising the legislation and to submit it to the Legislative Assembly in the first half of 2015.
“The Macau government has made a decision and it’s unanimous: [we are calling for] the implementation of a full smoking ban in casinos. We know that there has been a decline in gaming revenue. But because of the desire for more revenue from gaming taxes, the government will not be harming citizens, casino employees and tourists’ health,” Mr Tam told a press conference yesterday.
The government’s decision is based on the main findings of a report on the tobacco prevention and control scheme, which was released yesterday.
The report shows that over 70 percent of Macau residents back a full smoking ban. The survey also indicates that about 80 percent of casino workers agree with a full smoking ban that includes VIP rooms; about 85 percent of surveyed tourists also said that they are not against a full smoking ban.
Mr Tam revealed that the government met with the executives of casino operators to understand their views on the full smoking ban. Casino companies are hoping that the government will allow them to keep current smoking lounges, like those found in international airports which provide smokers with a separate smoking area.
However, the Secretary stressed that the government stands firmly in its plan to implement a full smoking ban, meaning that smoking will be prohibited within the entire premises of casinos’ resorts, and that smoking lounges will therefore not be allowed.
“The six operators are vowing to keep smoking lounges, but even with ventilation systems, this could still trigger negative health effects. It’s what operators want, but we are vowing to defend citizens’ health,” said Mr Tam, who acknowledged that there’s still much to be discussed.
The Times contacted casino operators to hear their opinions on the government’s decision. MGM Macau said that the company would not comment on the matter.
Mr Buddy Lam, vice-president of public relations in the corporate office at Galaxy Entertainment Group, said, “GEG supports the Macau government on the Smoking Control Act, as the health and well-being of our staff and guests are very important to us; and since the gaming floor smoking ban came into force on October 6, 2014, we have been in full compliance with the relevant rules and regulations.”
“So far, our smoking lounges have been well received, and the feedback from labor unions, staff and customers has been positive,” he added.
The operator stressed that it is hoping to be able to maintain its current smoking lounges: “As the government mentioned in the report released today [Wednesday], the six operators already expressed on January 21 that we hope to keep the smoking lounges inside casinos.”
“We will continue to work closely with the government to ensure that, while we can provide a healthier environment to our staff and customers, we can also serve them better by offering a choice to both smokers and non-­smokers,” Mr Lam concluded.
On the other hand, the Secretary argued that casino resorts are part of entertainment services, and, like restaurants or nightclubs, they too should be enforcing a full smoking ban: “Casinos are also from the rendering services sector. So we cannot have  differentiated treatment for casinos and restaurants, for instance. It’s impossible to respond to society’s needs if we maintain some smoking areas in the casinos, but we do not allow them in night clubs, restaurants or massage parlors.”
The report – which was conducted by the Health Bureau and unveiled yesterday – assessed the implementation of the tobacco prevention and control scheme between 2012 and last year. The report concludes that a full smoking ban in casinos should be put into force, while also providing a few other recommendations, including: a significant increase on tobacco tax; an increase in the severity of fines applied to illegal smoking; and restrictions on tobacco imports.
Head of the Health Bureau Lei Chin Ion clarified that currently there is a 33-percent tax applied to tobacco, but the World Health Organization suggests that the tax should be set at 70 percent.
The government is also discussing increasing the fines applied to citizens caught smoking in prohibited areas.

melco crown to appeal over ‘no smoking’ signs fine

Melco Crown Entertainment has said that a recent fine that was issued to the company for failing to place ‘no smoking’ signs in its City of Dreams casino “is debatable.”
“The legality of the government’s recent actions related to non-smoking signs is debatable. The company intends to pursue a judicial review of this matter to ensure proper implementation of the smoking regulations as they now stand,” said Melco in a statement to The Times.
The Health Bureau revealed on Wednesday that it would apply a MOP100,000 penalty to Melco Crown Entertainment for placing a smoking zone on the mass gaming floor of City of Dreams.
“Melco Crown operates its casinos in compliance with Macau legal requirements and requisite governmental approvals,” the company added.
The head of the Health Bureau, Lei Chin Ion, told a press conference yesterday that the government complied with the law when issuing the fine. The Bureau had warned the operator before, but, following a surprise inspection, found that the casino had still failed to put in place the ‘no smoking’ sign.