Smoking in Macau
 | This article needs to be updated. (May 2023) |
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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 sales tax 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]
See also
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References
[edit]- ^ Lei n.º 5/2011 (in Portuguese) – via Imprensa Oficial.
- ^ "Macao to ban indoor smoking in public places". Xinhua. 31 May 2009. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011.
- ^ "Gov't to ban smoking in indoor public places". UO Macau. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Survey: 72% back smoking ban in Macao". ChinaDaily.com.cn. Xinhua. 22 March 2006. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ Leung, Natalie (21 April 2010). "Divergent opinions on smoking ban". Macau Daily Times. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ "Authorities crackdown on 700 e-cig devices". MACAU DAILY TIMES 澳門每日時報. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ "Twenty people prosecuted in first three days of new Macau casino smoking laws". IAG. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ "澳门控制烟害成效斐然-中央政府驻澳门联络办公室". www.zlb.gov.cn. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
