Partial ban established in 2014
A Chinese lawmaker representing the Federation of Trade Unions is demanding a full smoking ban in Macau casinos, and she wants it fast.
Ella Lei Cheng I is asking the government to set a deadline for the ban in March, adding that the drop in revenues in the gaming hub is no excuse not to implement the policy.
A political address by Macau Chief Executive Ferdinand Chui Sai On in March “should be a deadline for the government to tell the public when the smoking ban in casinos will be carried out,” Cheng told a TAM radio show.
“Gaming profits dropped by 2.6 per cent compared to 2013,” she acknowledged. “However, the amount was still higher than in 2012, 2011 and even in 2010. …. The drop in overall gaming profits was only due to the great decrease in VIP rooms.”
She said casino operators could try to “scare people” by saying that a full smoking ban would be detrimental to an industry that is already struggling.
Last year the casinos banned smoking on mass-market floors, though it’s still allowed in VIP rooms.
