Health Bureau reports over 2,700 smoking and alcohol law violations 1H

The Health Bureau, following its dual strategy of tobacco and alcohol control, conducted 123,085 inspections across various venues from January to June this year – an average of 680 inspections per day – identifying 2,748 violations.

In tobacco control, authorities recorded 2,529 cases of illegal smoking, 127 cases involving e-cigarettes at border crossings, and 81 other breaches, such as failing to display no-smoking signs or notices prohibiting tobacco sales to minors.

Casinos recorded the most illegal smoking cases (480), followed by restaurants (368) and parks or leisure areas (229). Joint inspections of all casinos resulted in 480 violations.

Regarding alcohol control, 11 suspected violations were found, including three cases of selling or providing alcohol to minors. Other breaches involved failing to display required notices, unclear product labeling, and missing health warnings in advertisements.

The bureau also detected online tobacco-related promotions during festive periods, which are banned under the Tobacco Control Law.

Businesses were reminded to strictly comply with both tobacco and alcohol regulations to avoid fines of MOP20,000 to MOP200,000.