The above-mentioned new regulations has came into effect on December 5, 2022.
The global tobacco epidemic is gradually decreasing, and the smoking rate in Macau is also showing a similar trend. According to the results of the 2022 "Macao Population Tobacco Use Survey", from 2011 to 2022, the number of cigarette smokers has dropped significantly from 79,400 to 59,700, and the cigarette use rate has dropped from 16.6% to 10.6%, a relative decrease of 36.1%. The cigarette use rate index in Macau has reached the World Health Organization’s goal of reducing the tobacco use rate by 30% in 2025 compared to 2010, which shows that the implementation of the six tobacco control measures of MPOWER in Macau has achieved remarkable results.
However, emerging products such as e-cigarettes have brought new challenges to global tobacco control. Although there is no clear evidence that some smoking diseases are related to e-cigarette aerosol chemicals, smoking e-cigarettes will Increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and lung disease.
The Health Bureau stated that businessmen who rely on e-cigarettes for profit still pack e-cigarettes with false information such as less harm and fashion than traditional tobacco, inducing young people to smoke, resulting in the rapid growth of the use of e-cigarettes in various countries, especially among young people. According to the "Macao Youth Tobacco Use Survey", the e-cigarette use rate among middle school students aged 13 to 15 will be 4.0% in 2021, 1.4 percentage points higher than 2.6% in 2015, and significantly higher than the 2.1% cigarette use rate. For this reason, Macau has prohibited the sale of e-cigarettes through Law No. 5/2011 "Smoking Prevention and Control System", and at the same time banned the advertisement, promotion, and sponsorship of e-cigarettes, which to a certain extent prevented young people from being exposed to e-cigarettes. To strengthen the protection of young people from the dangers of electronic cigarettes, in August 2022, the Legislative Council passed Law No. 13/2022 (Amendment to Law No. 5/2011 "Smoking Prevention and Control System"), prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, sale, import and The export of electronic cigarettes and tobacco products for oral or nasal inhalation, including the prohibition of carrying such products out of the country and into the Macao Special Administrative Region, etc., further strengthens the control of electronic cigarettes (including traditional electronic cigarettes and heating cigarettes), through the circulation of the entire market The process is limited to reduce the exposure of young people to e-cigarettes.
The Health Bureau emphasized that the above-mentioned new regulations will come into effect on December 5, 2022. Violators will be fined MOP 4,000, and private entities or the tobacco industry will be fined MOP 20,000 to MOP 200,000; In addition to strengthening legislation and law enforcement, we will also continue to strengthen tobacco control publicity and education, especially for young people, to enhance the ability of young people to refuse to use new products such as tobacco and electronic cigarettes. Through various channels and methods, to achieve Lower the target of the smoking population, and once again call on people from all walks of life to refuse and stay away from tobacco for their health and the health of others.
