Casino smoking infractions rise

Macau’s casinos registered the largest number of infractions of new anti-smoking regulations in the first quarter, making up 27.8 percent of total cases.

Local media cited Macau Health Bureau figures as showing that some 236 inspections were conducted in casinos by health and gaming authorities, with a 138.6 percent increase in the number of people detected smoking in prohibited areas. The gains were attributed largely to the increased level of inspections.

The bureau said a total of 1,425 indictments have been made for smoking infractions in the quarter, that was 36.6 percent lower than the amount seen in the same period of 2017, local media reports.

After the casinos, the second largest number of violations was in parks and leisure areas making up 11.4 percent.

Under the new laws, smoking is banned within 10 metres of public transportation stops, while increasing fines for infringements. Smoking is banned on the main floor of Macau’s casinos, except in designated smoking lounges. The ban was extended last year to include VIP gaming rooms.

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