Macao's Health Bureau and Social Welfare Institute have jointly awarded "smoking-free workplace commitment certificates" to 51 private and public entities, local media reported Wednesday.

Macao Post Daily reported that the award laureates covered government departments, education establishments and business enterprises.

The newspaper quoted Chui Sai On, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, as saying that the government is gauging public views on new regulations on smoking in public places and tobacco import duties.

A statement recently issued by the Health Bureau stressed that passive smoking is the main cause of indoor air pollution, adding that the issue of smoking is "absolutely" a matter of public interest and social responsibilities.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2006)