The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, recently announced that revisions are to be made to the Tobacco Prevention and Control Law leading to the implementation of a universal smoking ban in the city's casinos. Legislation is expected to be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for consideration in the first half of 2015.

“The Macau Government has made a decision and it's unanimous: [we are advocating] the implementation of a full smoking ban in casinos. We know that there has been a decline in gaming revenue. But because of the desire for more revenue from gaming taxes, the government will not harm citizens, casino employees or tourists' health," Mr. Tam announced in a press conference on 25^th January.

The government's decision is based on the conclusions of a report on the tobacco prevention and control scheme, revealing that over 70 per cent of Macau residents favour a full smoking ban, while some 80 per cent of casino workers agree with a full smoking ban that includes VIP rooms, which are currently not affected by the mass gaming floor ban which came into effect in casinos on 6^th October. About 85 per cent of surveyed tourists said that they do not object to a universal smoking ban.

For their part, casino operators are hoping that the government will relent in its intention to include current 'airport lounge-style' smoking cabinets in the proposed blanket ban.

“The six operators are vowing to keep smoking lounges, but even with ventilation systems, this could still trigger negative health effects. It's what operators want but we are vowing to defend citizens' health," said Mr Tam, who nevertheless acknowledged that there was much yet to be discussed.

The Health Bureau report assessed the implementation of the tobacco prevention and control scheme between 2012 and last year, and concludes that a full smoking ban in casinos should be put into force, while also recommending a significant increase in tobacco tax, an increase in the severity of fines applied to illegal smoking, and restrictions on tobacco imports.

Health Bureau head Lei Chin Ion said that currently a 33 per cent tax is applied to tobacco but the World Health Organization suggests the tax be increased to 70 per cent.