Alexis Tam Chong Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture in Macau, said on Tuesday that a full smoking ban in the city’s casinos is to be implemented. Macau officials are currently preparing a bill on the matter and are expected to present it to the Legislative Assembly by the end of June. The proposal, however, is not likely to be approved during this legislative session, which is set to end in mid-August.
Under a law, introduced in October 2014, smoking in Macau casinos is only permitted in VIP rooms and special enclosed lounges on the mass floors. As Mr. Tam pointed out, the government intends to completely forbid smoking.
According to the latest reports, gaming revenue from the city’s casinos dropped 27% year-on-year for the first quarter of 2015. According to gambling experts, a full smoking ban would further impact both mass market and VIP revenue.
Being forbidden from smoking at VIP rooms, players might decide to travel to other gambling destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. As for mass players, they would need to go out of the property in order to puff a cigarette. This, in turn, would mean less time spent at tables.
Mr. Tam, however, said at a Tuesday Q&A meeting with Macau officials that a future slump in revenue should not be attributed completely to the full smoking ban, as a decrease was posted for the first quarter of the year, despite the fact that VIP players were allowed to smoke in VIP rooms.
During yesterday’s meeting, Macau officials voiced concerns that if the bill is passed into law, this might affect not only the city’s gambling industry, but its economy as a whole. According to data released by the government, gaming taxes accounted for 83.4% of Macau’s overall revenue for the first four months of 2015.
Mr. Tam said that they would remain firm on their decision to implement a complete smoking ban, noting that this move is necessary for protecting both residents and visitors’ health.
He also cited data from a survey commissioned by the city government, showing that 85% of the interviewed tourists stated their support for a full smoking ban. Only 10% pointed out that they would not return to the city if the smoking bill comes into force.
Mr. Tam informed officials at the Tuesday meeting that their proposal also contains provisions about electronic cigarettes.
