No transition period established for e-cigarette possession ban

The Health Bureau (SSM) has stated that Macau “can be considered” to have completed the three-year “transition period” for the certain ban on e-cigarettes, reaffirming that the recent amendment to the Tobacco Control Law does not include a transition period for the possession of e-cigarettes in public places.

The Macau authorities have revised the Tobacco Control Law, with the consultation document proposing five amendments, including a recommendation to impose a ban on the possession of e-cigarettes. The bureau recently conducted a public consultation on the amendment to the law.

In response to inquiries about a potential transition period following the law’s enactment, the bureau director, Alvis Lo, confirmed that the amendment does not include a transition period for the possession of e-cigarettes in public places.

He stated that regulations prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, sale, import, export, and possession of e-cigarettes from entering or leaving the region have been in effect for over three years, adding that “in theory,” any existing stock of such tobacco products should have been depleted by now.

Lo also signaled that the authorities would adopt an open-minded approach to expanding the smoking ban and would fully consider public opinion when designating areas where e-cigarettes are prohibited. He acknowledged that banning the possession of e-cigarettes in private premises would be “challenging,” noting that his bureau lacks the authority to search private properties.

Meanwhile, the bureau has reported positive feedback on the pilot smoking ban zones currently under trial and aims to increase awareness among smokers about designated smoking areas. The bureau is assessing the feasibility of suggestions from consultation attendees regarding the placement of smoking cessation promotional materials in these areas.

Plans include collaborating with community health consultation stations to facilitate appointments for smoking cessation services, using technology to identify areas with high concentrations of smokers, scientifically delineating outdoor smoking-restricted zones, extending bans to the entrances of medical institutions and other facilities, and designating large outdoor event venues as temporary smoking-restricted zones.