71 casino smoking ban violations as at end-February

Some 71 persons were prosecuted for violating the smoking ban inside local casinos during 92 jointi nspections conducted by the Health Bureau and the Gaming Inspection and Co-ordination Bureau during the first two months of the year. Of the total, visitors accounted for 81.7 per cent at 58, while local residents amounted to 12 or 16.9 per cent. Currently, smoking is only allowed in VIP rooms and smoking lounges in local gaming venues. Meanwhile, the total prosecuted for violating the city’s smoking ban reached 1,252 during the two months, of whom 77.4 per cent had paid their fines. According to the release, smokers were primarily caught illegally smoking in parks and leisure areas, Internet cafes and at public bus stops.