The Macao Special Administrative Region Government is drafting legislation to ban smoking in all indoor public areas and to raise the tax on cigarettes.

The administration plans to submit the Regulations on the Limitation and Control of Cigarettes to the Legislative Council early next year.

In a report released last Thursday, the government said it would ramp up efforts to improve and protect non-smokers' lives by helping smokers kick the habit.

The authorities also plan to open a special clinic to treat those who cannot give up smoking by themselves.

The central government has signed the Framework Agreement on the International Convention Against Smoking and the Ministry of Health has recommended that Macao update its legislation accordingly.

Macao Daily News