Macau | No tolerance for violent behaviour when enforcing smoking ban – Health Bureau

Macau (MNA) – The Macau Health Bureau (SS), indicated that there will be a ‘no tolerance’ policy for any violent behaviour when enforcing the smoking ban, following the recent incidents at the entrance of the Galaxy Macau property in Cotai.

On January 3rd around 11.00 pm, in the Diamond outer lobby of the Galaxy Macau, a Public Security Police Force (CPSP) officer was assaulted by three Mainland Chinese men after they were told that they were smoking in an unauthorized area. This was after the officer fired a warning shot in the air to quiet the attackers.

The three men are facing charges of assault and disobeying police orders, with one currently remaining in police custody, and the other two fined and later released.

‘The SS repudiates all acts of violence and reaffirm that this type of behavior can not be tolerated […] [We also] urge smokers not to smoke in forbidden places and collaborate with authorities on smoking control. In case of resistance with abusive language, even threat and aggression, besides the PSP being called the offender may be accused for crimes of disobedience, aggravated injury or physical offenses,’ the department has stated.

New smoking regulations started being enforced in the gaming areas on January 1st of this year. There are designated smoking lounges, with offenders, (those who do not smoke in those lounges), risking a fine up to MOP 200,000, (US$24,795).

The health authorities also underlined and stated that the casino managers have a responsibility to uphold and enforce the smoking ban rules, going so far as to ask any individuals to smoke in the licensed smoking rooms; or if any offenders are found, casino managers or workers must warn the smokers to immediately put their cigarettes out.

Between January 3rd and the 5th alone, health inspectors conducted 28 inspections in casinos that are in cooperation with the Gaming Inspection and Co-ordination Bureau (DICJ) personnel. There were 12 smoking infractions that were recorded and they were mainly caused by tourists.