• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Macau smoking ban bill likely final vote in May: legislator

Mar 23, 2017 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Macau smoking ban bill likely final vote in May: legislator

The revised draft bill dealing with smoking inside Macau casinos is likely to be presented to a plenary meeting of Macau’s Legislative Assembly for a second and final reading in May, said legislator Chan Chak Mo. Mr Chan chairs the assembly committee analysing the revised bill proposed by the Macau government.

The government’s revised draft bill was deliberated on by the committee for the last time on Wednesday. “There are no more details to discuss. Our discussion ends today,” Mr Chan told reporters.

Following the detailed examination of the bill, the committee now has to issue a report before the bill returns to the assembly for its final reading. “It now depends on the volume of work required from our legal advisory team, but I think the bill could return to the assembly by May,” said Mr Chan.

The revised draft bill must be passed before the end of the current legislative term in August. If that deadline is missed, the proposed legislation would fall, and the process would have to start afresh.

The government had previously proposed that an updated regime on tobacco control for Macau should ban entirely smoking in the city’s casinos. But in a briefing held last month, the Health Bureau announced a proposal to retain smoking lounges in the city’s casinos, in exchange for higher technical standards for such facilities.

Under the revised plan outlined in the February briefing, tobacco use at VIP gambling tables is to be banned and high rollers would instead need to use smoking lounges. Smoking lounges would still be allowed on casino main floors, but subject to the enhanced technical standards.

The new, more stringent standards would be set in a separate executive order by the government. Executive orders do not need to be approved by the Legislative Assembly.

The proposed date of enactment of the revised bill was January 1, 2018, with casinos given 12 additional months to adapt to the new standards for smoking lounges, Mr Chan had previously said.

Macau’s Health Bureau and the city’s casino operators seem to have agreed on implementing a so-called “negative pressure” mechanism in smoking lounges to be set at -5 pascals. Casino operators had previously suggested a negative pressure level of -1 pascal.

On Wednesday, Macau’s Health Bureau director, Lei Chin Ion, said that casino smoking lounges that don’t comply with the revised rules by the 2019 deadline would be forced to close.

“New standards will be set [for smoking lounges]. Some casinos might already comply with these standards; those that do not, must introduce improvements until the proposed deadline [in 2019],” Mr Lei told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with legislators.

“If their smoking lounges do not comply with the [revised] standards by the deadline, the smoking lounges will be closed,” he added.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • APE narrows annual loss as revenue up 38pct
    APE narrows annual loss as revenue up...

    Mar 28, 2023  

  • S.Korea casino op GKL’s February sales soar to US$28mln
    S.Korea casino op...

    Mar 03, 2023  

More news
  • Macau March GGR up 247pct y-o-y, to US$1.6bln: govt
    Macau March GGR up 247pct y-o-y, to...

    Apr 01, 2023  

  • Some Macau hotels say no rooms vacant 3 days of Easter
    Some Macau hotels say no rooms vacant 3...

    Mar 31, 2023  


Latest News

Macau March GGR up 247pct y-o-y, to US$1.6bln: govt

Macau March GGR up 247pct y-o-y, to US$1.6bln: govt

Apr 01, 2023  

Macau’s casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) was up 246.9 percent year-on-year in March, to just under MOP12.74 billion (US$1.58 billion). The March tally was up 23.4 percent month-on-month,...
Read More
Some Macau hotels say no rooms vacant 3 days of Easter

Some Macau hotels say no rooms vacant 3 days of Easter

Mar 31, 2023  

Macau 2023 GGR at 45pct of pre-Covid level: Moody’s

Macau 2023 GGR at 45pct of pre-Covid level: Moody’s

Mar 31, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”Efforts have pivoted to the construction of the hotel tower, with plans to launch a soft opening before the end of 2024 and a grand opening in 2025”

Casino investor LET Group

On the development of a casino hotel in Manila, the Philippine capital



Most Popular

  • Some Macau hotels say no rooms vacant 3 days of EasterSome Macau hotels say no rooms vacant 3 days of Easter March 31, 2023
  • Japan govt delays IR decision due to local elections: reportJapan govt delays IR decision due to local elections: report March 30, 2023
  • Sands China ups ties to China showbiz giant Star CMSands China ups ties to China showbiz giant Star CM March 29, 2023
  • Macau 2023 GGR at 45pct of pre-Covid level: Moody’sMacau 2023 GGR at 45pct of pre-Covid level: Moody’s March 31, 2023
  • Macau got 16k mainland package tourists in Feb reopeningMacau got 16k mainland package tourists in Feb reopening March 29, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us