Health Bureau (SSM) Director Alvis Lo Iek Long says that the government is studying the feasibility of a legal ban on smoking in more outdoor areas such as designated areas outside schools and crèches.
Dr Lo made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the Mong Ha campus of the public Macao University of Tourism (UTM) in the peninsula on Sunday on the sidelines of a public event there.
In Macau, smoking is banned in all indoor public venues and facilities, except smoking lounges in casinos and at the airport.
In addition, smoking is also prohibited at certain outdoor public venues such as public parks and gardens, public beaches, footbridges, pedestrian underpasses, as well as an area within 10 metres of all public bus stops.
Illegal smoking carries a fixed fine of 1,500 patacas.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Dr Lo said that the government is planning to propose amendments to the Tobacco Prevention and Control Law.
The health chief said that the government does not yet have a schedule as to when it expects to complete drafting the proposed amendments.
Amendments to laws proposed by the government must be passed by the legislature to take effect.
According to Dr Lo, the government’s proposed amendments to the anti-smoking law would include a legal ban on smoking in more outdoor areas such as an area within a designated size outside all schools and crèches, the modus operandi of which would be similar to the current implementation of a smoking ban in an area within 10 metres of all public bus stops.
Moreover, Dr Lo said, the proposed amendments would also include only permitting the sales of cigarettes that have a simple and plain design on their packets with the aim of making their packets less attractive to potential smokers.
Health Bureau (SSM) Director Alvis Lo Iek Long speaks to reporters on the Mong Ha campus of the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) on Sunday. – Photo courtesy of TDM
