Macau’s parliament on Monday approved in detail an amendment to the tobacco prevention and control law that bans the manufacture, distribution, import, export and transportation of electronic cigarettes within and outside the territory.
The law provides penalties for offenders worth four thousand patacas (462 euros)and in the case of entities, a fine of 20,000 MOP (€2,310) and 200 thousand patacas (23,100 euros).
Although the proposal was approved unanimously, during the debate in the Legislative Assembly several deputies argued that the government should go further, also advancing with the total ban on the consumption of electronic cigarettes.
Electronic cigarettes contain potentially harmful chemicals that have not been identified by the manufacturer
Mr. Leong Sun Iok was also concerned about the risk that the new legislation could increase the smuggling or sale of electronic cigarettes over the Internet or lead to an increase in the number of users of conventional cigarettes.
Macau’s Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture confirmed that they are considering banning the use of e-cigarettes later, after giving “some time” to smokers who “may still have some in stock.”
Elsie Ao Ieong U also promised to review, within three years, the tax on all tobacco products, which in Macau is around 60% of the final price.
Congressman Ron Lam U Tou had defended the tax increase, pointing out that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a value of 75%.
The only Portuguese deputy in AL, Jose Pereira CoutinhoHe warned that the legislative revision could harm tourists who are in Macau only “passing through”, that is, to mainland China, where e-cigarettes are allowed.
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The legislative change will take effect three months after its publication in the Official Gazette of the China Special Administrative Region.
Since 2018, the sale, advertising and promotion of electronic cigarettes has been prohibited in Macau.
The government justified the amendments to the law with “the strong evidence that this type of tobacco product is not only harmful to health, but its use may also endanger safety of people”, highlighting that the consumption of electronic cigarettes has increased, especially among young people.
Since 2015, the The consumption of electronic cigarettes among young people between 13 and 15 years old increased “from 2.6% to 4%”, according to data revealed in May by the director of Macau Health Services.
DGS discourages the use of electronic cigarettes. Those who use them should not smoke again.
In other words, Alvis Lo Iek Long underlined, there are already more young people who use electronic cigarettes than traditional cigarettes (2.1%).
As for the general population, the consumption of traditional cigarettes showed a drop “from 6.1% to 3.8%” in the same period, the official said.
The government stressed that e-cigarettes are already banned in neighboring Hong Kong and Singapore, and Taiwan’s parliament is also discussing a proposed ban.
Source: Observadora
