Macau reiterates plan for no smoking in enclosed spaces

Macau's Health Bureau has reiterated its plan to press for a total smoking ban in all enclosed spaces in the city, casting doubt over how long the territory’s casinos will remain exempt from a ban that came into effect on main floors on Oct. 6th.
The rule changes only allow smoking in purpose-built smoking rooms that do not contain gaming tables and slot machines.
The VIP rooms are usually set apart from the mass floor areas and as such are not technically open to the public. Any move to further tighten restrictions on smoking is likely to have a major impact.
Already, some analysts are saying that teething pains in implementing the new rules, coupled with an apparent last-minute decision to extend the ban to premium mass areas, mean the regulation may have a wider impact than had originally been expected.
The Health Bureau said it “will continue to collect data and opinions to enhance policy control. We will collect opinions from the general public, the gaming industry and its staff before proceeding to revise the law on smoking in 2015. We are aiming to achieve the goal of totally banning smoking in all enclosed spaces open to the public in the city.”
Earlier this week, the Health Bureau announced five more casinos were given the “greenlight” to have smoking lounges, adding to the 12 other gaming venues to receive approval. The venues include Galaxy Macau, operated by Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd, and President Casino, operated under the gaming license of Galaxy Entertainment; City of Dreams and Altira Macau, run by Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd; and Casino Kam Pek, operated under the gaming license of SJM Holdings.