Anti-smoking inspectors levied more than MOP 1 million in fines for various offences in the first six months of this year.
The Health Bureau (SSM) said that 918 people were fined for smoking illegally, which carries a fixed penalty of MOP 1,500.
The bureau also imposed fines of MOP 4,000 on seven violators for selling tobacco products with labels that did not comply with the officially required standards, six violators for selling tobacco products by directly displaying them on store shelves, and two violators for selling e-cigarettes, making a total of 933 violators up to June.
In Macao, smoking is barred in all indoor public venues and facilities, except smoking lounges in casinos and in the airport. It is also prohibited within 10 metres of all public bus stops. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas of public parks, gardens and recreational areas.
The sale of e-cigarettes is banned in Macao. A standing committee of the Legislative Assembly is currently reviewing a government-initiated Tobacco Prevention and Control Law amendment bill that proposes to also ban the manufacture, distribution, import and export of e-cigarettes, in addition to the current ban on their sale in the city.
The SSM said that 175 out of the illegal smoking cases took place in restaurants and other eateries, while 145 were reported in public parks, gardens and recreational areas.
In addition, SSM officials working with Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau inspectors fined 31 violators for illegal smoking in casinos in the first half of the year, the statement said.
Out of the 933 violators 834 have paid their respective fines, The Macau Post Daily reported.
