To curb youth smoking, the Health Bureau (SSM) has announced its commitment to monitoring e-cigarette law enforcement, focusing on areas where teenagers frequently gather to smoke.
According to authorities, there are plans to compile a list of these “black spots” and conduct targeted inspections, particularly around schools, to address illegal smoking among minors.
If a smoker under the age of 16 is caught, a letter will be sent to their parent or guardian.
Additionally, SSM has collaborated with the Education and Youth Development Bureau to recommend schools post notices discouraging smoking in nearby pick-up and drop-off areas.
In response to a query from lawmaker Leong Hong Sai, the bureau said customs has been vigilant about e-cigarette use among young people in Macau.
In 2023, authorities seized 700 e-cigarette devices and approximately 5,900 cartridges.
In the first half of this year alone, around 200 devices and 10,000 cartridges were confiscated.
Authorities have also inspected shops suspected of selling e-cigarette products, uncovering 193 potential illegal cases by the end of June.
