Health | Only one breach of smoking laws detected in casinos

A casino smoking lounge

Since the amended Tobacco Control Law was first implemented on January 1 up until March 23, there was only one case of infraction detected in a casino, the Health Bureau (SSM) has informed in a statement.

According to the statement, the infraction was related to the non-display of clear and visible signs indicating that it is forbidden to smoke inside casinos, leading to someone smoking inside the casino.

As of March 23, the SSM has performed a total of 219 inspections in Macau casinos carried out jointly with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). This represents an increase of 56.4 percent, or 79 inspections, when compared year-on-year with the same period.

During these inspections 364 people were found smoking in forbidden places, leading to their prosecution.

According to the figures from the SSM, the large majority of the offenders were male, at 94.2 percent, and 86.2 percent of offenders were tourists.

Regarding the cases reported by the media of problems occurring with several venues in Macau, the SSM only said that, as of March 21, the SSM had received two requests from casinos Ponte 16 and MGM Grand for  the creation of 12 smoking rooms. All applications are still under review. They also note that they are aware other casinos are also currently undergoing preparatory work to apply for the creation of smoking rooms, but that such requests have not yet being submitted.
The Health Bureau once more affirmed that approval procedures for such rooms would be carried out by the department strictly according to law, also noting that the SSM and the DICJ will continue to perform inspections in casinos to verify their compliance with the law. They will investigate and prosecute cases where infringements and legal liability are both found.