The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that protecting the wellbeing of the Macao public was the Government’s prime concern when studying whether to retain smoking lounges in local casinos.

Mr Chui made the remarks to reporters this morning at the city’s airport before leaving for Fuzhou Prefecture in Fujian Province for a Fujian-Macao high-level meeting on the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative.

Macao’s contribution to the country’s development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “Belt and Road” initiative) is part of the city’s strategic development programme.

In his remarks before setting off on his trip, Mr Chui reviewed the Government’s efforts to promote a tobacco-smoke-free Macao.

He noted the Health Bureau was currently analysing a joint proposal – by the six local gaming operators – regarding a set of higher technical standards for the existing smoking lounges in local casinos.

The Chief Executive said the Government had submitted last year a proposed amendment to the Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control. The amendments related to smoking in casinos, among other topics. The initiative was part of a scheduled review of the tobacco prevention and control regime. Such review was timetabled three years on from original implementation.

Last year’s proposal by the Government was now being discussed at the Legislative Assembly.

The original version of the Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control became effective on 1 January 2012. It banned smoking in public indoor areas such as schools, health institutes, workplaces and factories. Since 1 January 2013, smoking has been banned in major public areas in casinos, including mass gaming floors, and in all bars, dance halls, saunas and massage parlours.

In other remarks, Mr Chui commented on the appointment in 2015 of former public prosecutor-general, Mr Ho Chio Meng, as the head of a commission for the study of the criminal law system. Subsequently Mr Ho was held by the Macao authorities for investigation.

His 2015 appointment was made on the basis of Mr Ho’s experience and ability, the Chief Executive said. For a civil servant to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities did not necessarily mean the person was suspected of any wrongdoing. Mr Chui said he had not been aware – when he made the appointment – that Mr Ho was a subject of an investigation. He noted such types of investigation were typically conducted on a confidential basis.

Mr Chui also made comments regarding the redevelopment of the Estrada de Lai Chi Vun area in Coloane – a previous hub for ship repair work. Mr Chui stressed that ensuring public safety was the top priority of the Government when formulating a redevelopment plan for the area.

The plan would include conservation measures and efforts to revitalise the surroundings. The scheme as proposed would involve a number of Government departments, Mr Chui added.