<strong>China: Macau Health Bureau Criticized for Poor Casino Smoking Control</strong>

Source from:  Macau Daily Times (mo)  08/19/2013

The Macao Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) lodged a complaint against the Health Bureau to the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) last Friday, accusing the Bureau of "administrative violations" when enforcing the partial smoking ban in gaming venues.

"On April 10, the Health Bureau's tests showed 28 out of the 44 gaming venues failed to meet the air quality requirement, and the Bureau set a time limit of four weeks for them to improve. The authorities announced that they would be re-examining those substandard venues only until May, and would release the results and penalties in June," stated Lei Cheng I, director of FAOM's Department of Rights and Interests. "Unfortunately, until today, the authorities haven't released any results, nor the process of its enforcement, not even going so far as to mention implementing a punishment procedure."

 "According to the law, if the casinos repeatedly failed the tests, the government must reduce and eventually abolish their smoking areas. When the law is stipulated but the government doesn't fulfil it, the government is suspected of administrative violations," stressed the unionist. "We requested the CCAC to investigate the Health Bureau's alleged violations and urge it to strictly enforce the smoking ban by punishing the substandard casinos in order to ensure casino workers' health."

Representatives from the Macau Gaming Industry Laborers Association (MGILA) and the Macau Gaming Enterprises Staff's Association (MGESA) revealed that the inaction of the authorities has made some casino operators "fearless." "Some staff working in the non-smoking area had reminded guests to stop smoking there, and as punishment those staff members were transferred to the smoking area by the casino manager," Choi Kam Fu, deputy director-general of the MGESA, told the Times. "Some casino operators regard the law as non-existent, as they don't need to worry about any penalties. This atmosphere has made the employees suffer more and feel really frustrated."

"We don't even know what procedures the Health Bureau have been taking since the first air quality test," Choi stressed. "If the authorities condone them [the substandard casinos] for three more years, we staff members have to endure suffering for three more years. In a long run we wish the government to amend the law and impose a complete smoking ban in casinos." Staff reporter. Enditem