According to a statement by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, the Macau government would be open to a debate on the continuation of smoking areas in casino VIP rooms.

“It’s still early. But we’re open to the idea,” he said. “We’ll analyse first; we have to be objective and open-minded.” The Secretary said he would wait to see the results of the report conducted by the Legislative Assembly’s second standing committee, which has been analysing the smoking ban law for almost a year.

The chairman of the sub-committee, Chan Chak Mo, told reporters following a closed-door session meeting on the full smoking ban that the majority of the members of the committee support the establishment of smoking lounges in local casinos, while only two members support a total smoking ban.

Alexis Tam stated he would study the proposals by the Macau Health Bureau and admits the possibility of conducting another enquiry by the gaming operators and workers.