A shifting regulation

It’s a common sight we have all gotten used to worldwide: groups of employees and people in general smoking outdoors, after several pieces of legislation banning smoking in workplaces and enclosed public spaces took effect across the globe.
Macau has been no exception. As smoking bans and tougher regulations were introduced in mainland China, 2012 marked the introduction of the MSAR’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Law, which banned smoking in most indoor spaces.
Back then, casinos were an exception to the rule. Gaming patrons continued to be able to smoke while gambling. But then a partial smoking ban came into effect on mass gaming floors in 2013, which allowed casinos to allocate no more than 50 percent of their gaming area to smokers.
A full smoking ban on mass gaming floors was then implemented on October 6 last year, which required operators to build smoking lounges, although gaming patrons are still allowed to smoke in VIP areas.
But tougher regulations were yet to be proposed. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, announced early this year that the government would be suggesting further amendments to the law, aiming at a full smoking ban. This means smoking lounges could be forced to close down, and smoking would no longer be allowed, even inside VIP rooms.
A draft of the amendments to the current Tobacco Prevention and Control Law has been handed to the Executive Council. Mr Tam said that he is hoping that the Executive Council will soon be able to share its insights on the amended bill. The bill then has to be submitted for discussion and voting at the Legislative Assembly.