The Health Bureau would cautiously analyse relevant suggestions and results arising from a survey commissioned by the six local gaming operators. It concerned gaming employees’ opinions on, respectively, smoking in casinos and technical standards for casino smoking lounge.
The Bureau noted in a press release issued on Monday (13 February) that the six gaming operators had also jointly commissioned air quality tests inside the casinos. The findings of the survey and the results of the air quality tests would be a reference point when the Government formulated relevant policy, stated the Bureau.
The Government is committed to a tobacco-smoke-free Macao, as recommended for places worldwide by the World Health Organization. The banning of smoking in all indoor public spaces is a major goal regarding smoking control efforts in Macao.
The Government would mull suggestions regarding the possible retention of existing smoking lounges in local casinos and whether new lounges could be established. It would take into account technical standards of smoking lounges in other countries, in order further to protect the health of casino employees.
On Monday, the findings of the survey regarding gaming employees’ opinions on smoking in casinos – conducted by the University of Macau – and the results of the air quality tests inside casinos – conducted by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University – were released.
The survey regarding gaming employees’ opinions on smoking in casinos showed a total of 55 percent of interviewees were in favour of smoking lounges in casinos. The survey interviewed a total of 14,301 casino employees, 73 percent of them having worked in gaming roles in the six months prior to the survey.
The Bureau noted an academic institution conducted the survey; questionnaires seem not to be biased; it had interviewed a representative sample of interviewees; and interviewees participated voluntarily and their respective identities had been kept confidential.
In addition, the six gaming operators submitted some suggestions for the design of smoking lounges in casinos. The Bureau noted the suggestions listed requirements additional to those contained in Executive Order 141/2014. The Bureau also noted the suggestions implied the introduction of higher technical standards, and were deemed by the Bureau as feasible.
Currently, smoking is banned in major public areas in casinos, including mass gaming floors, under the New Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control.
The New Regime became effective on 1 January 2012, banning smoking in public indoor areas such as schools, health institutes, workplaces and factories, all bars, dance halls, saunas and massage parlours.