 | This article needs to be updated.(May 2023) |
Smoking in Macau is regulated more strictly than in mainland China, but not to the extent of the regulation of smoking in Hong Kong.
Smoking is prohibited in a number of places as per Law No. 5/2011. [1]
In May 2009 the government of the Macau Special Administrative Region announced a planned indoor smoking ban for all public places, [2] "to create a fair environment where smokers have the freedom to smoke and non-smokers also have the freedom not to inhale second-hand smoke," Health Bureau director Lei Chin Ion said. [3] In April 2009 the government announced proposed legislation that sought to raise the tobacco taxation by 300%.[ citation needed ] Casinos and gambling are a major aspect of tourism in Macau. Smoking is banned on the main floors of casinos, but is permitted in closed-off ventilated smoking areas, which are located on the casino floors. A majority of Macau residents support a total ban on smoking in public places, [4] but lawmakers in closed session on 20 April 2010 were unable to reach a consensus regarding a total ban inside casinos. [5] The increasing number of smokers is a cause for concern. [4]
In 2018 a ban on the sale, advertisement and import of e-cigarettes was implemented in Macau. [6] January 1, 2019 saw the introduction of Macau’s New Tobacco Control Act which extends non-smoking areas across the city including a ban on smoking in the VIP areas of casinos, with smoking now only allowed inside specially ventilated smoking rooms. [7]
The overall smoking rate among the Macao population aged 15 years and above decreased from 33.7% in 2011 (upon the implementation of the smoking ban) to 11.2% in 2020. [8]
