Macau’s new smoking standards took effect January 1 in the city’s casinos. Just two days later on January 3, the new rules led to a confrontation between smokers and law enforcement. A police officer fired a warning shot when three Mainland Chinese men were caught smoking in a no-smoking zone outside Galaxy Macau in Cotai.
According to the Macau News Agency, the officer was then assaulted by the men. The smokers were charged with assault and disobeying police orders. Two were fined and released. Another remained in custody.
Smokers who light up outside the casinos’ designated smoking lounges are subject to fines of up to MOP 200,000 (US$24,795).
According to Inside Asian Gaming, after the incident police officials in Macau met with representatives of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau to review procedures and the roles of police officers and private casino security guards, and also consider equipping officers with pepper spray.
Macau Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak said the officer who fired the warning shot has been temporarily transferred to a police logistics team, but added that it wasn’t a punishment, and defended the officer’s right to fire his gun. The January incident was the first time a Macau police officer had fired a shot since 2007.
Meanwhile, the Macau Health Bureau says it has a “no tolerance” policy when it comes to violent behavior when the smoking ban is enforced.
