<strong>China: Macau Govt Ready to Clear Air on Smoking Penalties</strong>

Source from:  Macau Business Daily 11/08/2013

Long-overdue results from the round of surveys of casino air quality – and any penalties for failing to effectively clear tobacco smoke – will be out within two weeks, says Legislative Assembly member Ella Lei Cheng I.

The Macau Federation of Trade Unions, represented in the assembly by Ms Lei, met Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On at government headquarters yesterday.

Mr Chui had instructed Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U and Health Bureau director Lei Chin Ion to release the results within two weeks, Ms Lei said after the meeting.

"The chief executive said he has clearly instructed… the government to follow what is written in the law and cut the floor space of smoking areas for any failing [casinos]," said Ms Lei.
 
In a press statement released yesterday, Mr Chui's cabinet did not confirm the two-week deadline, only saying the result and penalties would be out "in due course".

Any further delay in releasing the results of the air-quality tests would be "inexcusable" in the wake of Mr Chui's instructions, Ms Lei said.
 
From January 1, smoking has been prohibited in half of the floor area of the city's gaming rooms.
 
The government can reduce the size of the smoking zones if casino operators do not meet air-quality standards.
 
Results from a second round of checks and any penalties were due to be published before July but that announcement has been hit by delays.
 
The Health Bureau said it handling large amounts of data and dealing with appeals from casinos had slowed its work.

"The appeals from each [casino] are different, and we have to discuss with the legal experts whether or not the appeals are reasonable," said Health Bureau director Mr Lei last month.
 
The government said 16 gaming venues failed the second round, down from 28 in the first round.
 
The trade union representatives and Mr Chui also discussed next week's Policy Address for 2014.
 
Ms Lei, the trade union federation's vice-president, said Mr Chui did not reveal any details yesterday.

"The government will continue and strengthen social welfare policies beneficial to the residents," Ms Lei said.
 
She said the federation gave its position on a proposed minimum wage for cleaners and security guards, as well as housing and residents' employment.
 
Mr Chui's cabinet quoted Secretary for Economy and Finance Francis Tam Pak Yuen as saying the government will "study" the federation's suggestions. Enditem